Radiological imaging change in a malignant bowel obstruction patient treated with octreotide.
BACKGROUND
Malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) is a complication in advanced cancer patients with abdominal and pelvic malignancy. Recent research has established the efficacy of octreotide for MBO-related symptom relief. The mechanism that octreotide increases water absorption in case of MBO has not been demonstrated except for experimental animal and normal human model.


METHODS
We present a 60-year-old man with pancreatic cancer and MBO treated with octreotide. Radiological imaging showed the disappearance of large-volume fluid retention in the small intestine with alleviating vomiting within 2 days. This radiological change might result from the effect of octreotide increasing water absorption in intestine tract.
Shinjo
Takuya
T
Palliative Care Unit, Shakaihoken Kobe Central Hospital, 2-1-1 Souyama-cho, Kita-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 651-1145, Japan. shinjo@doctor.email.ne.jp
Kagami
Ryogo
R
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015282:Octreotide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D011859:Radiography; D014839:Vomiting / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D015282:Octreotide