Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026

Multimodality Diagnosis of Mesenteric Ischemia
Published on: July 21, 2023
Segmental absence of intestinal musculature (SAIM): a case report in an adult
Omar Aldalati1, Cordelia Phelan, Hassan Ibrahim
1University Hospital North Staffordshire, General Surgery, 41 Sharman Close, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 7LS, UK.
Abstract:
Segmental absence of intestinal musculature (SAIM) is a rare entity of uncertain aetiology. A case of SAIM in an adult is presented, and three other adult cases of SAIM are reviewed. Our case concerns a middle-aged man who underwent a Whipple's procedure for a suspected neoplasm in the head of the pancreas. At surgery, a redundant segment of proximal jejunum with multiple large diverticula was incidentally noted and resected. On histological examination, the small bowel segment showed focal extreme thinning of the muscularis propria, focally amounting to complete absence. A peritoneal biopsy was also submitted which showed changes consistent with an old thrombosed vessel.
Related Concept Videos
Intestinal Obstruction I: Introduction
Histology of the Large Intestine
The innermost mucosa layer comprises simple columnar epithelium, lamina propria, and muscularis mucosae. This layer is primarily populated with absorptive cells, tasked with water absorption, and goblet cells, responsible for secreting mucus to...
Intestinal Obstruction II: Pathophysiology
Assessment of the Abdomen I: Inspection and Auscultation
The abdominal examination is a cornerstone of clinical medicine, serving as a critical tool in diagnosing various gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. It involves a systematic approach that includes inspection and auscultation, each with distinct yet complementary roles in assessing the abdomen. This article will delve into these two primary methods healthcare professionals use to examine the abdomen.
Inspection of the Abdomen
The first step in any abdominal examination is inspection.
Esophageal Achalasia
Diverticular Disease of the Colon

