Colonic obstruction secondary to phytobezoar.

Arvind BAMANIKAR ¹, Sachin KHANDEKAR ¹, Varkey Valikad MATHEWS ², Pemasiri Upali TELISINGHE ³

¹ Jerudong Park Medical Center (JPMC), ² Department of Surgery, RIPAS Hospital, ³ Department of Pathology, RIPAS Hospital, Brunei Darussalam

ABSTRACT

Large bowel obstruction is common in clinical practice and colorectal malignancy is a common cause. Bezoars are a rare and uncommon cause of large bowel obstruction. It can mimic tumour resulting in unnecessary surgery. Imaging studies can help in diagnosis. Endoscopy can be both diagnostic and therapeutic. We report a case of a 59-year-old Malay lady who presented with three days history of constant lower abdominal pain and bowel obstruction secondary to colonic phytobezoar. She also had ischaemic colitis. The bowel obstruction was successfully managed without any surgical interventions. Our case highlights a rare but interesting cause of large bowel obstruction that was diagnosed with colonoscopy and successfully managed with bowel lavage and enema.

Keywords: Bezoars, intestinal obstruction, ischaemic colitis

Brunei Int Med J. 2010; 6 (2):100-104