[Cholesterol embolism: unusual cause of small intestine occlusion].
We describe a case of small bowel obstruction secondary to cholesterol crystal embolism in a 83-year-old man. Clinical symptoms were dominated by weight loss and vomiting. Small bowel barrium X-ray displayed a short and unique stricture of the jejunum. Atheromatous embolism was suspected in the presence of an aortic aneurysm. At laparotomy, a 2 cm stricture of jejunum was identified and a 6 cm length segment of small bowel was resected. Pathological features were consistent with cholesterol crystal embolism. The patient did well 3 months after surgery. This observation points out the nonspecific clinical presentation of gastrointestinal cholesterol embolism.
Lederman
E
E
Services d'Hépato-Gastroentérologie, Hôpital Huriez, CHU, 59037 Lille.
Petit
M L
ML
Boruchowicz
A
A
Lecomte-Houcke
M
M
Dewailly
S
S
Colombel
J F
JF
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017700:Embolism, Cholesterol / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D007579:Jejunal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male