title: Pseudo-colonic obstruction after lumbar spine surgery: a case report.
abstract: Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (Ogilvie's syndrome) is characterised by abdominal distension and massive colonic dilatation without any mechanical cause of obstruction. The pathogenesis remains unknown but likely involves imbalance between sympathetic and parasympathetic colon innervation. This syndrome is well known in orthopaedic surgery, as trauma and orthopaedic surgery have been reported as aetiological factors. Some cases have been reported after cervical discectomy. We report a case of Ogilvie's syndrome after lumbar spine surgery. Medical treatment including parasympathetic agent was unsuccessful and the patient underwent a right colectomy. The pathophysiology and treatment are discussed based on a review of the literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Jules Bordet Institute, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Reverdy
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gebhart
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kothonidis
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gallez
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Becker
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liberale
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002432:Cecum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003082:Colectomy; D003112:Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000473:pathology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed