Phytobezoar-Induced Mechanical Ileus and Incipient Intussusception: A Case Report
Christoforos S. Kosmidis,
Chrysi Maria Mystakidou,
Nikolaos Varsamis,
Charilaos Koulouris,
Christina Sevva,
Konstantina Papadopoulou,
Christina Michael,
Nikolaos Iason Katsios,
Vasiliki Theodorou,
Petrina Miltiadous,
Konstantinos Papadopoulos,
Konstantinos Vlassopoulos,
Katerina Zarampouka,
Stylianos Mantalovas
Affiliations
Christoforos S. Kosmidis
European Interbalkan Medical Center, 10 Asklipiou Street, 55535 Pylaia, Greece
Chrysi Maria Mystakidou
Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Nikolaos Varsamis
European Interbalkan Medical Center, 10 Asklipiou Street, 55535 Pylaia, Greece
Charilaos Koulouris
European Interbalkan Medical Center, 10 Asklipiou Street, 55535 Pylaia, Greece
Christina Sevva
3rd Surgical Department, University General Hospital of Thessaloniki “AHEPA”, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 1st St. Kiriakidi Street, 54621 Thessaloniki, Greece
Konstantina Papadopoulou
1st Department of Internal Medicine, G. Papanikolaou General Hospital of Thessaloniki, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece
Christina Michael
Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Nikolaos Iason Katsios
Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
Vasiliki Theodorou
Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Petrina Miltiadous
Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Konstantinos Papadopoulos
3rd Surgical Department, University General Hospital of Thessaloniki “AHEPA”, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 1st St. Kiriakidi Street, 54621 Thessaloniki, Greece
Konstantinos Vlassopoulos
Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Katerina Zarampouka
Pathology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, 1st St. Kiriakidi Street, 54621 Thessaloniki, Greece
Stylianos Mantalovas
3rd Surgical Department, University General Hospital of Thessaloniki “AHEPA”, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 1st St. Kiriakidi Street, 54621 Thessaloniki, Greece
Phytobezoars constitute conglomerates of indigested plant fibers and are a rare cause of acute mechanical ileus. They exhibit an increased prevalence in the elderly population and people with specific predisposing conditions. Radiological imaging can often set a definitive diagnosis and dictate the optimal therapeutic approach, combined with the patient’s clinical status. An 81-year-old male presented with deteriorating clinical symptoms of intestinal obstruction, and an exploratory laparotomy was performed following inconclusive radiological findings; multiple phytobezoars and incipient intussusception were revealed intraoperatively. A patient’s medical history can often raise clinical suspicion of phytobezoars. However, a careful etiological investigation is imperative in all cases of mechanical ileus in advanced ages; early detection and dissolution of phytobezoars, when applicable, can reduce the need for surgical interventions.
