Korean J Gastroenterol.  2017 May;69(5):312-315. 10.4166/kjg.2017.69.5.312.

Small Bowel Obstruction Caused by Aloe vera Bezoars: A Case Report

• Hong IT
• Cha JM
• Ki HJ
• Kwak MS
• Yoon JY
• Shin HP
• Jeoun JW
• Choi SI

• KMID: 2383390
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4166/kjg.2017.69.5.312

Abstract

Small bowel obstruction is a clinical condition commonly caused by postoperative adhesion, volvulus, intussusceptions, and hernia. Small bowel obstruction due to bezoars is clinically uncommon, accounting for approximately 2-4% of all obstructions. Computed tomography (CT) is a useful method in diagnosing the cause of small bowel obstruction. However, small bowel obstruction caused by bezoars may not be detected by an abdominal CT examination. Herein, we report a rare case of small bowel obstruction by Aloe vera bezoars, which were undetected by an abdominal CT. Phytobezoars should be included in the differential diagnosis of small bowel obstruction in patients with predisposing factors, such as excessive consumption of high-fiber food and diabetes.

Keyword

Bezoar; Aloe vera; Small intestine; Intestinal obstruction

MeSH Terms

Aloe*
Bezoars*
Causality
Diagnosis, Differential
Hernia
Humans
Intestinal Obstruction
Intestinal Volvulus
Intestine, Small
Intussusception
Methods
Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Abdominal X-ray showing a small bowel ileus with air fluid levels.

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  Fig. 2 Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis reveal edematous wall thickening and dilatation of small bowel without any definite cause of obstruction, such as small bowel cancer.

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  Fig. 3 Gross intraoperative findings of dilated small bowel loops with intraluminal masses (A). Greenish mass impacted the small bowel loop (B).

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  Fig. 4 Histological findings of small intestine with dense neutrophils in muscularis propria, showing perivascular neutrophilic infiltrate without other pathological findings (H&E, ×200).

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