Chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction as a complication of Duchenne's muscular dystrophy

We report a case of Duchenne's muscular dystrophy complicated by intestinal pseudoobstruction. The patient had recurrent attacks of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distention for many years, and abdominal films repeatedly showed a dilated and fluid-filled small intestine and colon. Barium studies showed an esophageal diverticulum, reduced esophageal and gastric motility, and a dilated small bowel and colon. Pathologically, the entire gastrointestinal tract had smooth muscle fibrosis, but this was most marked in the esophagus and stomach. We conclude that Duchenne's muscular dystrophy may involve intestinal smooth muscle and produce pseudoobstruction.