title: Chronic primary intestinal pseudo-obstruction from visceral myopathy.
abstract: Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction is an uncommon syndrome characterized by relapsing episodes suggesting intestinal obstruction during which no mechanical causes are identified to account for symptoms. Etiologic factors may be manifold. Among them a number of neurologic conditions, gastrointestinal smooth muscle myopathies, endocrino-metabolic and autoimmune diseases, and the use of selected drugs stand out. We report a case of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction originating in a sporadic, primary intestinal myopathy that corresponds to no type thus far described. A histological study of the intestinal wall showed disrupted muscle bundles and the presence of interstitial edema. Myocytes had severe degenerative changes, and no alterations were seen in submucosal and myenteric plexus neurons. The activity of enzyme complexes in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, and of thymidine phosphorylase was normal. No mitochondrial DNA changes were seen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain. jsolis.hdoc@salud.madrid.org
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Muñoz-Yagüe
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Marín
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Colina
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ibarrola
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: López-Alonso
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Martín
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Solís-Herruzo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007418:Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*