Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine  2012;36(2):278-281

doi:10.5535/arm.2012.36.2.278

Occurrence of Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction in a Brainstem Hemorrhage Patient.

Sang jee LEE 1 ; In hun NA ; Eun seok CHOI ; Sung hee JUNG ; Jong soo YOON

Affiliations

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Keywords

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction; Rectal tube; Bethanechol

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction is a massive colonic dilation with signs and symptoms of colonic obstruction, but without a mechanical cause. A 49-year-old female patient complained of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension 1 month after a massive brainstem hemorrhage. No improvement was seen with conservative treatments. An extended-length rectal tube was inserted to perform glycerin enema. In addition, bethanechol (35 mg per day) was administered to stimulate colonic motility. The patient's condition gradually improved over a 2-month period without any surgical intervention. Extended length rectal tube enema and bethanechol can be used to improve intestinal pseudo-obstruction in stroke patients.