Non-traumatic perforation of the small bowel
Background: Non-traumatic perforation of the small bowel is an uncommon serious complication associated with high morbidity and mortality. Diseases that cause small bowel perforation vary in different areas of the world. Objective: To highlight difficulties in the diagnosis and management of non-tra...
Saved in:
Published in | African health sciences Vol. 8; no. 1; pp. 36 - 39 |
---|---|
Main Authors | , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Uganda
Makerere University Medical School
01.03.2008
Makerere Medical School |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
Cover
Loading…
Summary: | Background: Non-traumatic perforation of the small bowel is an uncommon
serious complication associated with high morbidity and mortality.
Diseases that cause small bowel perforation vary in different areas of
the world. Objective: To highlight difficulties in the diagnosis and
management of non-traumatic perforation of small bowel. Material and
methods: The medical records of four patients who have presented with
non-traumatic perforation of the small bowel and were treated at Al-Ain
Hospital during the last 5 years were studied retrospectively. Results:
The presenting symptoms of all patients were similar. Erect chest X-ray
has shown free air under diaphragm in 3 patients. Leukocytosis was
present in only one patient. HIV was confirmed in one patient. Patients
were diagnosed to have typhoid, HIV, hook worms and tuberculosis. Only
the HIV patient died while the others were discharged home in a good
condition. Conclusion: Clinical findings of small bowel perforation are
usually non specific and diagnosis is usually reached after surgery.
The Histopathological examination of the small bowel ulcer were non
conclusive in three patients. We have made our management plan
according to the clinical findings. Non traumatic perforation in
developing countries can be due to typhoid, HIV, tuberculosis and
possibly hook worms. |
---|---|
Bibliography: | ObjectType-Case Study-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-4 content type line 23 ObjectType-Report-1 ObjectType-Article-3 |
ISSN: | 1680-6905 1729-0503 |