The striking effect of hyperbaric oxygenation therapy in the management of chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction

• Published in: The American journal of gastroenterology Vol. 95; no. 1; pp. 285 - 288
• Main Authors: Yokota, T, Suda, T, Tsukioka, S, Takahashi, T, Honma, T, Seki, K, Matsuzawa, J, Miura, M, Aoyagi, Y, Asakura, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wolters Kluwer Health Medical Research, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 01.01.2000
• Subjects: Chronic Disease; Gastroenterology; Humans; Hyperbaric Oxygenation; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction - diagnostic imaging; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction - pathology; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction - therapy; Male; Middle Aged; Radiography
• ISSN: 0002-9270; 1572-0241
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2000.01710.x

Chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction is one of the disorders that is most refractory to medical and surgical treatment. Even when patients are given nutritional support, including total parenteral nutrition, obstructive symptoms seldom disappear. We report a case of chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, due to myopathy, in which hyperbaric oxygenation therapy was strikingly effective. The presence of myopathy was histologically confirmed on the surgically resected jejunal specimen. Hyperbaric oxygenation resulted not only in relief of the patient's obstructive symptoms but also in a rapid decrease of abnormally accumulated intestinal gas. At last, he could resume oral intake without any critical adverse effects. These observations strongly suggest that hyperbaric oxygenation can be an effective therapy in the management of chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction.