Fecaloma causing small bowel obstruction in the absence of risk factors: a case report
Abstract Background Small bowel obstruction is a common surgical emergency typically caused by adhesions, hernias, and malignancies. However, ileal fecalomas represent an exceptionally rare etiology, with few cases reported in literature. This case study and literature review aim to highlight an unu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05039-y |
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| author | Youssef Ahmad Umer Siddiqui Ayman Ahmed Aiswarya Sudheer Tejaswi Chetla Inayat Shergill Fadi Souleiman |
| author_facet | Youssef Ahmad Umer Siddiqui Ayman Ahmed Aiswarya Sudheer Tejaswi Chetla Inayat Shergill Fadi Souleiman |
| author_sort | Youssef Ahmad |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Small bowel obstruction is a common surgical emergency typically caused by adhesions, hernias, and malignancies. However, ileal fecalomas represent an exceptionally rare etiology, with few cases reported in literature. This case study and literature review aim to highlight an unusual cause of small bowel obstruction, emphasizing the diagnostic challenges and management strategies. Case presentation A 60-year-old Middle Eastern female patient from Syria with a 1-year history of chronic constipation presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, and an inability to pass feces. Diagnostic imaging confirmed small bowel obstruction, which was caused by a fecal mass proximal to the ileocecal junction. Surgical extraction successfully resolved the obstruction. Conclusion This case underscores the importance of considering fecal impaction as a differential diagnosis in patients with chronic constipation and highlights the effectiveness of surgical intervention in resolving such obstructions. A comprehensive review of literature on unusual causes of small bowel obstruction, including imaging characteristics and management approaches, is also provided to enhance clinical awareness and improve patient outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2ad90d84c4014bccb8ebef153f45994b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1752-1947 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-2ad90d84c4014bccb8ebef153f45994b2025-02-09T12:38:34ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472025-02-011911410.1186/s13256-025-05039-yFecaloma causing small bowel obstruction in the absence of risk factors: a case reportYoussef Ahmad0Umer Siddiqui1Ayman Ahmed2Aiswarya Sudheer3Tejaswi Chetla4Inayat Shergill5Fadi Souleiman6Faculty of Medicine, Tartous UniversityGulf Medical College, Gulf Medical UniversityGulf Medical College, Gulf Medical UniversityRajiv Gandhi University of Health SciencesMedical University of Lublin, Lublin UniversityDayanand Medical College, Baba Farid University of Health SciencesDepartment of General Surgery, Tartous UniversityAbstract Background Small bowel obstruction is a common surgical emergency typically caused by adhesions, hernias, and malignancies. However, ileal fecalomas represent an exceptionally rare etiology, with few cases reported in literature. This case study and literature review aim to highlight an unusual cause of small bowel obstruction, emphasizing the diagnostic challenges and management strategies. Case presentation A 60-year-old Middle Eastern female patient from Syria with a 1-year history of chronic constipation presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, and an inability to pass feces. Diagnostic imaging confirmed small bowel obstruction, which was caused by a fecal mass proximal to the ileocecal junction. Surgical extraction successfully resolved the obstruction. Conclusion This case underscores the importance of considering fecal impaction as a differential diagnosis in patients with chronic constipation and highlights the effectiveness of surgical intervention in resolving such obstructions. A comprehensive review of literature on unusual causes of small bowel obstruction, including imaging characteristics and management approaches, is also provided to enhance clinical awareness and improve patient outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05039-yAbdominal massCase reportConstipationHardened feces massIleocecal junctionLaparoscopic surgery |
| spellingShingle | Youssef Ahmad Umer Siddiqui Ayman Ahmed Aiswarya Sudheer Tejaswi Chetla Inayat Shergill Fadi Souleiman Fecaloma causing small bowel obstruction in the absence of risk factors: a case report Journal of Medical Case Reports Abdominal mass Case report Constipation Hardened feces mass Ileocecal junction Laparoscopic surgery |
| title | Fecaloma causing small bowel obstruction in the absence of risk factors: a case report |
| title_full | Fecaloma causing small bowel obstruction in the absence of risk factors: a case report |
| title_fullStr | Fecaloma causing small bowel obstruction in the absence of risk factors: a case report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fecaloma causing small bowel obstruction in the absence of risk factors: a case report |
| title_short | Fecaloma causing small bowel obstruction in the absence of risk factors: a case report |
| title_sort | fecaloma causing small bowel obstruction in the absence of risk factors a case report |
| topic | Abdominal mass Case report Constipation Hardened feces mass Ileocecal junction Laparoscopic surgery |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-025-05039-y |
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