title: Use of neostigmine to relieve a suspected colonic pseudoobstruction in pregnancy.
abstract: Neostigmine is a treatment option for colonic pseudoobstruction. However, experience in using neostigmine for this indication in pregnant women is limited. We present a case of a woman with an estimated fetal gestational age of 34 weeks presented with what was believed to be a pseudoobstruction and when conservative management failed, neostigmine was administered with no adverse side effects. Ultimately, the patient was found to have a mechanical obstruction and we discuss the challenges in making this diagnosis in pregnancy. Neostigmine may be a viable alternative to colonoscopy in pregnant women for whom mechanical obstruction is properly excluded.
authors: 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10032, USA. Mer56@columbia.edu
authors: M E
authors: ME
authors: Rausch
authors: N H
authors: NH
authors: Troiano
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Rosen
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D003082:Colectomy; D003112:Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D045822:Intestinal Volvulus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D009388:Neostigmine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010277:Parasympathomimetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D010277:Parasympathomimetics; D009388:Neostigmine