Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction in a Young Male With Alcohol Abuse Disorder

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) is a rare syndrome associated with significant mortality and morbidity. It mimics the signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction in the absence of an anatomic lesion causing obstruction. Here we present a case of a young male with severe alcohol abuse disorder who initially presented with signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal but was found to have abdominal distension. Imaging studies revealed severe small and large bowel dilatation without any organic lesion. He continued to have marked intestinal dilatation for the subsequent few months. Alcohol cessation eventually led to a marked reduction in his symptoms and a decrease in intestinal dilatation. The occurrence of CIPO because of alcohol abuse is rare, and we explore the possible association between the two entities.