Abstract
BACKGROUND: Endometrial tissue is present outside the uterine cavity in 6-10% of fertile women. Associated symptoms such as dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia and abdominal discomfort are non-specific. For this reason, endometriosis is not always considered in women with abdominal symptoms. Endometriosis can also manifest itself as an acute surgical emergency such as an intestinal obstruction.
CASE DESCRIPTION: A 29-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with acute lower abdominal pain and vomiting. On rectal examination a firm mass was palpable. CT scan of the abdomen showed the loops of colon to be extremely dilated. As a caecal blowout seemed imminent we carried out a laparotomy which revealed an obstruction of the rectum caused by severe endometriosis.
CONCLUSION: In fertile women presenting with signs of acute bowel obstruction, endometriosis should be included in the differential diagnosis and an early gynaecological consultation is indicated.
Translated title of the contribution | Impending caecal blowout due to endometriosis |
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Original language | Dutch |
Pages (from-to) | A9168 |
Journal | Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde |
Volume | 159 |
Publication status | Published - 2015 |
Keywords
- Abdominal Pain/etiology
- Adult
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Dyspareunia
- Endometriosis/complications
- Female
- Humans
- Intestinal Obstruction/etiology
- Laparoscopy/methods
- Rectal Diseases/etiology