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Acute small bowel obstruction due to bilharziasis.
Rahman Gul1, Kamran Khalid, Mohammad F Al-Rajhi
1Department of General Surgery, College of Medicine, King Saud University Unit, Riyadh Medical Complex, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Medical Journal
|October 18, 2005
Summary
Schistosomiasis, a global health issue, can rarely cause acute small bowel obstruction. This case highlights the importance of histopathology for diagnosing intestinal bilharziasis, mimicking other serious conditions.
Area of Science:
- Tropical Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease with diverse clinical presentations.
- Intestinal involvement is common, but acute small bowel obstruction is exceptionally rare.
Observation:
- A 50-year-old Yemeni male presented with acute small bowel obstruction.
- Intraoperative findings mimicked peritoneal tuberculosis or carcinomatosis.
Findings:
- The obstruction was caused by small bowel schistosomiasis (bilharziasis).
- This specific presentation is not well-documented in recent English literature.
Implications:
- Histopathological examination of surgical specimens is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
- Early recognition and diagnosis are vital for appropriate management of intestinal schistosomiasis.