Intestinal pseudo-obstruction

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IPO) describes a rare family of diseases with both acute and chronic forms. It remains incompletely understood but can also be subdivided by the underlying pathophysiology into myopathic or neuropathic forms. Multiple pathogenic processes have been posited and there are varying aetiologies according to individual phenotype. The hallmark features are symptoms of bowel obstruction with vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain and distension. The key differentiator between IPO and other functional disease is radiological features of bowel dilatation in keeping with obstruction with no identifiable structural or mechanical cause.
Source: Medicine - Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Tags: Motility and functional bowel disease Source Type: research