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Intraoperative enteroscopy in the diagnosis of partial intestinal obstruction in infancy
C Duggan1, R C Shamberger, D Antonioli
1Combined Program in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Insights
A 4-month-old infant
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Occult intestinal strictures can cause prolonged illness in infants.
- Conventional diagnostic methods may fail to identify these lesions.
Observation:
- A 4-month-old infant presented with a prolonged illness.
- Radiologic and surgical evaluations did not reveal the cause of obstruction.
Findings:
- Intraoperative enteroscopy successfully diagnosed an occult intestinal stricture.
- Resection of the stricture resulted in rapid clinical improvement.
Implications:
- Intraoperative enteroscopy is valuable for diagnosing small bowel obstructions.
- Future applications may include therapeutic enteroscopy interventions.
- Collaboration between surgical and gastroenterological teams is crucial.
Abstract:
We present the case of a 4-month-old infant with a prolonged illness due to an occult intestinal stricture. Diagnosis of the lesion escaped conventional radiologic and surgical methods and required intraoperative enteroscopy. Resection of the stricture lead to prompt clinical improvement. Our patient illustrates a primary diagnostic use of intraoperative enteroscopy in the detection of a partial intraluminal small bowel obstruction. As further experience accumulates with small bowel endoscopy, roles for therapeutic enteroscopy (such as polypectomy, photocoagulation, and perhaps balloon dilatation) will certainly arise. Such endeavors will depend on the continued productive collaboration between members of the surgical and gastroenterological teams.