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Updated: Oct 23, 2025

A Mouse Model of Intestinal Partial Obstruction
Published on: March 5, 2018
Lethal small bowel obstruction due to pica
Johannes Rødbro Busch1, Lars Löchte1, Anna-Sofia Lindh1
1Section of Forensic Pathology, Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract:
Up to 25% of institutionalized patients with cognitive deficiencies display pica-like behavior, with an estimated annual incidence of small bowel obstruction of 2%. We present a case based on the forensic autopsy of a 41-year-old woman who died as a result of a missed diagnosis of small bowel obstruction after ingesting a foreign body. The case underlines the importance of precaution when treating patients with cognitive deficiency and/or language deficits and gastrointestinal symptoms. In such cases, it is important to employ a liberal threshold for radiological investigations and, if possible, obtain a medical history from a person close to the patient.
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