Hirschsprung disease with debut in adult age as acute intestinal obstruction: case report

Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2016 Nov;108(11):742-746. doi: 10.17235/reed.2016.3841/2015.

Abstract

Hirschsprung's disease is characterized by absence of ganglion cells in submucosal and myenteric plexus of distal bowel. Most cases become manifest during the neonatal period, but in rare instances, this disease is initially diagnosed in adult age. It usually presents as severe constipation with colonic dilatation proximal to the aganglionic segment. The treatment is surgical, removing the aganglionic segment and restoring continuity of digestive tract. The disease rarely presents as an acute intestinal obstruction. We report a case not previously diagnosed, which presented as a massive colonic dilatation with a maximum diameter of 44 cm, with imminent risk of drilling that forced to perform an emergency surgery. We include a review of existing literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / diagnostic imaging
  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Hirschsprung Disease / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hirschsprung Disease / surgery
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Obstruction / diagnostic imaging*
  • Intestinal Obstruction / etiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged