U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination

Intestinal obstruction

MedGen UID:
43933
Concept ID:
C0021843
Disease or Syndrome
Synonyms: Intestinal Obstruction; Intestinal Obstructions; Obstruction, Intestinal
SNOMED CT: Intestinal obstruction (81060008); Bowel obstruction (81060008); Obstruction of intestine (81060008); IO - Intestinal obstruction (81060008)
 
HPO: HP:0005214
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0004565

Definition

Blockage or impairment of the normal flow of the contents of the intestine towards the anal canal. [from HPO]

Conditions with this feature

Ulcerative colitis
MedGen UID:
3532
Concept ID:
C0009324
Disease or Syndrome
A chronic inflammatory bowel disease that includes characteristic ulcers, or open sores, in the colon. The main symptom of active disease is usually constant diarrhea mixed with blood, of gradual onset and intermittent periods of exacerbated symptoms contrasting with periods that are relatively symptom-free. In contrast to Crohn's disease this special form of colitis begins in the distal parts of the rectum, spreads continually upwards and affects only mucose and submucose tissue of the colon.
Protein-losing enteropathy
MedGen UID:
19522
Concept ID:
C0033680
Disease or Syndrome
Complement hyperactivation, angiopathic thrombosis, and protein-losing enteropathy (CHAPLE) is characterized by abdominal pain and diarrhea, primary intestinal lymphangiectasia, hypoproteinemic edema, and malabsorption. Some patients also exhibit bowel inflammation, recurrent infections associated with hypogammaglobulinemia, and/or angiopathic thromboembolic disease. Patient T lymphocytes show increased complement activation, causing surface deposition of complement and generating soluble C5a (Ozen et al., 2017).
Gastrointestinal stroma tumor
MedGen UID:
116049
Concept ID:
C0238198
Neoplastic Process
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are mesenchymal tumors found in the gastrointestinal tract that originate from the interstitial cells of Cajal, the pacemaker cells that regulate peristalsis in the digestive tract. Approximately 70% of GISTs develop in the stomach, 20% in the small intestine, and less than 10% in the esophagus, colon, and rectum. GISTs are typically more cellular than other gastrointestinal sarcomas. They occur predominantly in patients who are 40 to 70 years old but in rare cases may occur in younger persons (Miettinen et al., 1999, 1999). GISTs are also seen as a feature in several syndromes, e.g., neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1; 162200) and GIST-plus syndrome (175510).
T-B+ severe combined immunodeficiency due to JAK3 deficiency
MedGen UID:
331474
Concept ID:
C1833275
Disease or Syndrome
JAK3-deficient severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is an inherited disorder of the immune system. Individuals with JAK3-deficient SCID lack the necessary immune cells to fight off certain bacteria, viruses, and fungi. They are prone to repeated and persistent infections that can be very serious or life-threatening. Often the organisms that cause infection in people with JAK3-deficient SCID are described as opportunistic because they ordinarily do not cause illness in healthy people. Affected infants typically develop chronic diarrhea, a fungal infection in the mouth called oral thrush, pneumonia, and skin rashes. Persistent illness also causes affected individuals to grow more slowly than other children. Without treatment, people with JAK3-deficient SCID usually live only into early childhood.
Trichothiodystrophy 1, photosensitive
MedGen UID:
355730
Concept ID:
C1866504
Disease or Syndrome
Trichothiodystrophy is also associated with recurrent infections, particularly respiratory infections, which can be life-threatening. People with trichothiodystrophy may have abnormal red blood cells, including red blood cells that are smaller than normal. They may also have elevated levels of a type of hemoglobin called A2, which is a protein found in red blood cells. Other features of trichothiodystrophy can include dry, scaly skin (ichthyosis); abnormalities of the fingernails and toenails; clouding of the lens in both eyes from birth (congenital cataracts); poor coordination; and skeletal abnormalities including degeneration of both hips at an early age.\n\nAbout half of all people with trichothiodystrophy have a photosensitive form of the disorder, which causes them to be extremely sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight. They develop a severe sunburn after spending just a few minutes in the sun. However, for reasons that are unclear, they do not develop other sun-related problems such as excessive freckling of the skin or an increased risk of skin cancer. Many people with trichothiodystrophy report that they do not sweat.\n\nIntellectual disability and delayed development are common in people with trichothiodystrophy, although most affected individuals are highly social with an outgoing and engaging personality. Some people with trichothiodystrophy have brain abnormalities that can be seen with imaging tests. A common neurological feature of this disorder is impaired myelin production (dysmyelination). Myelin is a fatty substance that insulates nerve cells and promotes the rapid transmission of nerve impulses.\n\nMothers of children with trichothiodystrophy may experience problems during pregnancy including pregnancy-induced high blood pressure (preeclampsia) and a related condition called HELLP syndrome that can damage the liver. Babies with trichothiodystrophy are at increased risk of premature birth, low birth weight, and slow growth. Most children with trichothiodystrophy have short stature compared to others their age. \n\nThe signs and symptoms of trichothiodystrophy vary widely. Mild cases may involve only the hair. More severe cases also cause delayed development, significant intellectual disability, and recurrent infections; severely affected individuals may survive only into infancy or early childhood.\n\nIn people with trichothiodystrophy, tests show that the hair is lacking sulfur-containing proteins that normally gives hair its strength. A cross section of a cut hair shows alternating light and dark banding that has been described as a "tiger tail."\n\nTrichothiodystrophy, commonly called TTD, is a rare inherited condition that affects many parts of the body. The hallmark of this condition is hair that is sparse and easily broken. 
Visceral myopathy 2
MedGen UID:
1783630
Concept ID:
C5543466
Disease or Syndrome
Visceral myopathy-2 (VSCM2) is characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms resulting from intestinal dysmotility and paresis, including abdominal distention, pain, nausea, and vomiting. Some patients exhibit predominantly esophageal symptoms, with hiatal hernia and severe reflux resulting in esophagitis and stricture, whereas others experience chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction. Bladder involvement resulting in megacystis and megaureter has also been observed and may be evident at birth (Dong et al., 2019; Gilbert et al. (2020)).
Gastrointestinal defects and immunodeficiency syndrome 1
MedGen UID:
1806192
Concept ID:
C5680044
Disease or Syndrome
Gastrointestinal defects and immunodeficiency syndrome-1 (GIDID1) is characterized by multiple intestinal atresia, in which atresia occurs at various levels throughout the small and large intestines. Surgical outcomes are poor, and the condition is usually fatal within the first month of life. Some patients exhibit inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with or without intestinal atresia, and in some cases, the intestinal features are associated with either mild or severe combined immunodeficiency (Samuels et al., 2013; Avitzur et al., 2014; Lemoine et al., 2014). Genetic Heterogeneity of GIDID See also GIDID2 (619708), caused by mutation in the PI4KA gene (600286) on chromosome 22q11.
Cutis laxa, autosomal recessive, type 1d
MedGen UID:
1857168
Concept ID:
C5935602
Disease or Syndrome
Autosomal recessive cutis laxa type ID (ARCL1D) is characterized by facial dysmorphism, joint hypermobility, muscle hypotonia, and multiple severe herniations, including inguinal, ventral, diaphragmatic, sciatic, and obturator, as well as large diverticula of the gastrointestinal tract and urinary bladder. The skin is thin and translucent with easy bruising; the degree of laxity is variable and progresses with age in some patients (Megarbane et al., 2012; Bizzari et al., 2020; Driver et al., 2020; Verlee et al., 2021). For a general phenotypic description and discussion of genetic heterogeneity of autosomal recessive cutis laxa, see ARCL1A (219100).

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Yamamoto H, Sakamoto H, Kumagai H, Abe T, Ishiguro S, Uchida K, Kawasaki Y, Saida Y, Sano Y, Takeuchi Y, Tajika M, Nakajima T, Banno K, Funasaka Y, Hori S, Yamaguchi T, Yoshida T, Ishikawa H, Iwama T, Okazaki Y, Saito Y, Matsuura N, Mutoh M, Tomita N, Akiyama T, Yamamoto T, Ishida H, Nakayama Y
Digestion 2023;104(5):335-347. Epub 2023 Apr 13 doi: 10.1159/000529799. PMID: 37054692
Jackson P, Vigiola Cruz M
Am Fam Physician 2018 Sep 15;98(6):362-367. PMID: 30215917
Jackson PG, Raiji MT
Am Fam Physician 2011 Jan 15;83(2):159-65. PMID: 21243991

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Van Eaton J, Hatch QM
Surg Clin North Am 2024 Jun;104(3):685-699. Epub 2023 Dec 14 doi: 10.1016/j.suc.2023.11.012. PMID: 38677830
Jackson P, Vigiola Cruz M
Am Fam Physician 2018 Sep 15;98(6):362-367. PMID: 30215917
Dubin I, Gelber M, Schattner A
CJEM 2017 Sep;19(5):398-399. Epub 2016 Dec 5 doi: 10.1017/cem.2016.393. PMID: 27916022
Am Fam Physician 2011 Jan 15;83(2):166. PMID: 21243992
Jackson PG, Raiji MT
Am Fam Physician 2011 Jan 15;83(2):159-65. PMID: 21243991

Diagnosis

Bower KL, Lollar DI, Williams SL, Adkins FC, Luyimbazi DT, Bower CE
Surg Clin North Am 2018 Oct;98(5):945-971. Epub 2018 Aug 7 doi: 10.1016/j.suc.2018.05.007. PMID: 30243455
Vinocur DN, Lee EY, Eisenberg RL
AJR Am J Roentgenol 2012 Jan;198(1):W1-10. doi: 10.2214/AJR.11.6931. PMID: 22194504
Jackson PG, Raiji MT
Am Fam Physician 2011 Jan 15;83(2):159-65. PMID: 21243991
Chapple Ks, Hartley JE
Br J Hosp Med (Lond) 2006 Jan;67(1):M5-7. doi: 10.12968/hmed.2006.67.Sup1.20335. PMID: 16447402
Bevan PG
Br Med J 1968 Mar 16;1(5593):687-90. doi: 10.1136/bmj.1.5593.687. PMID: 4867861Free PMC Article

Therapy

Cihoric M, Kehlet H, Lauritsen ML, Højlund J, Kanstrup K, Kärnsund S, Foss NB
Br J Surg 2024 Jul 2;111(7) doi: 10.1093/bjs/znae130. PMID: 39028763
CReST Collaborative Group
Br J Surg 2022 Oct 14;109(11):1073-1080. doi: 10.1093/bjs/znac141. PMID: 35986684
Rieder F, Bettenworth D, Ma C, Parker CE, Williamson LA, Nelson SA, van Assche G, Di Sabatino A, Bouhnik Y, Stidham RW, Dignass A, Rogler G, Taylor SA, Stoker J, Rimola J, Baker ME, Fletcher JG, Panes J, Sandborn WJ, Feagan BG, Jairath V
Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2018 Aug;48(3):347-357. Epub 2018 Jun 19 doi: 10.1111/apt.14853. PMID: 29920726Free PMC Article
Caunedo-Alvarez A, Romero-Vazquez J, Herrerias-Gutierrez JM
World J Gastroenterol 2008 Sep 14;14(34):5269-73. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.5269. PMID: 18785278Free PMC Article
Davis CL, Hardy JR
BMJ 1994 May 21;308(6940):1359-62. doi: 10.1136/bmj.308.6940.1359. PMID: 7517247Free PMC Article

Prognosis

Nguyen ATM, Holland AJA
Pediatr Surg Int 2021 Jun;37(6):755-763. Epub 2021 Apr 19 doi: 10.1007/s00383-021-04867-5. PMID: 33876300
Kapoor VK
Postgrad Med J 1998 Aug;74(874):459-67. doi: 10.1136/pgmj.74.874.459. PMID: 9926119Free PMC Article
St-Vil D, LeBouthillier G, Luks FI, Bensoussan AL, Blanchard H, Youssef S
J Pediatr Surg 1992 Oct;27(10):1340-2. doi: 10.1016/0022-3468(92)90292-f. PMID: 1403517
Leffall LD Jr, Quander J, Syphax B
Arch Surg 1965 Oct;91(4):592-6. doi: 10.1001/archsurg.1965.01320160046010. PMID: 5836106
ABRAMS BL
Arch Surg 1963 Dec;87:1033-9. doi: 10.1001/archsurg.1963.01310180149025. PMID: 14063812

Clinical prediction guides

Ambartsumyan L, Smith C, Kapur RP
Pediatr Dev Pathol 2020 Jan-Feb;23(1):8-22. Epub 2019 Dec 2 doi: 10.1177/1093526619892351. PMID: 31791203
Downes TJ, Cheruvu MS, Karunaratne TB, De Giorgio R, Farmer AD
J Clin Gastroenterol 2018 Jul;52(6):477-489. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000001047. PMID: 29877952
Bettenworth D, Nowacki TM, Cordes F, Buerke B, Lenze F
World J Gastroenterol 2016 Jan 21;22(3):1008-16. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i3.1008. PMID: 26811643Free PMC Article
Gurvits GE, Lan G
World J Gastroenterol 2014 Dec 21;20(47):17819-29. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i47.17819. PMID: 25548480Free PMC Article
DeLong ER, DeLong DM, Clarke-Pearson DL
Biometrics 1988 Sep;44(3):837-45. PMID: 3203132

Recent systematic reviews

Madariaga A, Lau J, Ghoshal A, Dzierżanowski T, Larkin P, Sobocki J, Dickman A, Furness K, Fazelzad R, Crawford GB, Lheureux S
Support Care Cancer 2022 Jun;30(6):4711-4728. Epub 2022 Mar 10 doi: 10.1007/s00520-022-06889-8. PMID: 35274188Free PMC Article
Baxter NN, Kennedy EB, Bergsland E, Berlin J, George TJ, Gill S, Gold PJ, Hantel A, Jones L, Lieu C, Mahmoud N, Morris AM, Ruiz-Garcia E, You YN, Meyerhardt JA
J Clin Oncol 2022 Mar 10;40(8):892-910. Epub 2021 Dec 22 doi: 10.1200/JCO.21.02538. PMID: 34936379
Meier J, Guzzetta AA, Huerta S
Am Surg 2020 Jun;86(6):675-684. doi: 10.1177/0003134820923296. PMID: 32683979
Rami Reddy SR, Cappell MS
Curr Gastroenterol Rep 2017 Jun;19(6):28. doi: 10.1007/s11894-017-0566-9. PMID: 28439845
ten Broek RP, Issa Y, van Santbrink EJ, Bouvy ND, Kruitwagen RF, Jeekel J, Bakkum EA, Rovers MM, van Goor H
BMJ 2013 Oct 3;347:f5588. doi: 10.1136/bmj.f5588. PMID: 24092941Free PMC Article

Supplemental Content

Table of contents

    Clinical resources

    Practice guidelines

    • PubMed
      See practice and clinical guidelines in PubMed. The search results may include broader topics and may not capture all published guidelines. See the FAQ for details.
    • Bookshelf
      See practice and clinical guidelines in NCBI Bookshelf. The search results may include broader topics and may not capture all published guidelines. See the FAQ for details.

    Consumer resources

    Recent activity

    Your browsing activity is empty.

    Activity recording is turned off.

    Turn recording back on

    See more...