Intestinal obstruction caused by catheter balloon inflation in the small intestine

Abstract

We present a unique case of small bowel obstruction secondary to a urethral catheter balloon. A gentleman at early 80s presented with a blocked catheter, passing a tiny amount of stool through the catheter. Recurrent admissions with a blocked catheter required washouts and exchanges by Urology. 24 hours post-catheter exchange, the patient developed signs and symptoms of SBO, including a distended abdomen, vomiting, and constipation. A CT abdomen/Pelvic revealed small bowel obstruction due to the inflated balloon of the catheter migrating to the small bowel loop. The case was managed by re-siting the catheter using flexible cystoscopy.