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A rare cause of small bowel obstruction in adults: persistent omphalomesenteric duct

Ali Güner1, Can Keçe, Aydın Boz

  • 1Department of General Surgery, Trabzon Numune Training and Research Hospital, Trabzon, Turkey. draliguner@yahoo.com

Ulusal Travma Ve Acil Cerrahi Dergisi = Turkish Journal of Trauma & Emergency Surgery : TJTES
|November 29, 2012
PubMed

Insights

A persistent omphalomesenteric duct remnant, an embryonic structure, can cause small bowel obstruction in adults without prior abdominal surgery. This rare condition requires careful diagnosis and treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Embryology
  • Surgical Pathology

Background:

  • Mechanical small bowel obstruction is frequently caused by prior abdominal surgery.
  • Diagnosing and treating small bowel obstruction in patients without a surgical history presents significant challenges.
  • The omphalomesenteric duct is an embryonic remnant connecting the midgut and yolk sac, typically obliterated after fetal development.

Observation:

  • A 42-year-old male presented with symptoms indicative of small bowel obstruction.
  • The patient had no history of previous abdominal surgery.
  • Diagnostic evaluation revealed an omphalomesenteric duct remnant as the cause of obstruction.

Findings:

  • Intestinal obstruction due to a persistent omphalomesenteric duct remnant is exceptionally rare in adults.
  • This case highlights a non-surgical etiology for small bowel obstruction in the adult population.
  • The omphalomesenteric duct remnant acted as a lead point for the obstruction.

Implications:

  • Increased awareness of rare congenital anomalies is crucial for diagnosing obscure gastrointestinal conditions.
  • Early recognition of omphalomesenteric duct remnants can prevent complications associated with prolonged bowel obstruction.
  • This case underscores the importance of considering congenital abnormalities in the differential diagnosis of small bowel obstruction, even in adults.

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