Proximal small bowel obstruction caused by a massive intraluminal thrombus from a stress ulcer

We describe a case of proximal small bowel obstruction caused by an occlusive thrombus as a result of bleeding from a duodenal ulcer, which is likely to be stress induced. Initial presentation was confused as a bleeding duodenal ulcer and resultant ileus. Such reports are incredibly rare in the literature and never has one been reported as a result of a stress ulcer. Obstructive symptoms in the acute postoperative patient may be confused for an ileus but mechanical causes must be excluded. The presence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding must not detract from that possibility. Future identification of an occlusive clot on endoscopy that is impossible to circumnavigate may benefit from intraluminal injection of thrombolytic agents to prevent obstruction but this must be weighed with the risk of exacerbating any bleeding. Clearly a risk versus benefit analysis will be necessary on an individual basis.