[Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (Ogilvie syndrome) post-renal transplant]

Abstract

Background: Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction, also known as Ogilvie syndrome, is a rare gastrointestinal syndrome in children. It is characterized by a marked dilatation of the colon evidenced by imaging and absence of mechanical obstruction. Patients typically present with abdominal pain and distended, tympanic abdomen, with peristalsis present, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Up to 40% of patients can pass gas and/or have bowel movements. We decide to report this case because this syndrome is very rare in pediatric patients, and no cases have been reported in a post-renal transplant pediatric patient.

Case report: 13 year old male patient with past medical history of psychomotor retardation due to perinatal asphyxia and chronic renal failure secondary to bilateral renal hypoplasia. Treated with peritoneal dialysis for one year until kidney transplant was performed. Currently under immunosuppressive regime. He began his condition with mild abdominal pain accompanied by semi-liquid stools, and progressive distention up to 78cm of abdominal circumference in 72hours, so image studies were performed. Managed with prokinetic drugs without any improvement. Two exploratory laparotomies observed flanges, without evidence of any mechanical obstruction. An abdominal magnetic resonance was performed, where important intestinal dilatation was observed with no evidence of mechanical obstruction. Ogilvie Syndrome was diagnosed, so management with neostigmine was established, which led to symptom resolution.

Conclusions: This case is reported because this syndrome is very rare in children, there is little clinical suspicion and lack of management guides for diagnosis and treatment in patients of this age.

Keywords: Immunosuppressive; Inmunosupresores; Ogilvie; Pseudo-obstrucción; Pseudo-obstruction; Transplant; Trasplante.