Case series of unusual causes intestinal obstruction in infants and children

Abstract

Introduction Many of the causes of intestinal obstruction arise from congenital anomalies that can present at any time from infancy to adulthood. Other frequent causes of intestinal obstruction in pediatric population results from complicated external hernias, intussusceptions, volvulus, or bands of adhesions.
Patients and methods We report seven unusual cases presented with symptoms and signs of acute intestinal obstruction in infants and children, which necessitated surgical intervention. Radiological investigation showed signs of intestinal obstruction.
Results On exploration, rare causes of intestinal obstruction were found. In the first patient, congenital mesenteric defect was the cause of obstruction. The second patient had unusual entrapment of a loop of bowel in the ileocecal recess. In the third patient, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma was the leading point for intussesception. In the fourth patient, a large multiloculated chylolymphatic cyst was found. In the fifth, sixth, and seventh patients, a rare presentation of remnants of ophalomesentric duct was identified. In the eighth patient, a large polyp of Peutz–Jeghers syndrome was found to obstruct the lumen of the jejunum, and it was the nidus for jejunojejunal intussesception. All of the previously mentioned causes of obstruction are rarely observed in children.
Conclusion Management of these conditions requires ahigh degree of suspicion, careful assessment, and  awareness while the appropriate treatment needs to be tailored to the individual situation.

Keywords: childhood period, intestinal obstruction, unusual  presentations