Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. Did you search for lysosomal storage diseases?

Abstract

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction results in clinical manifestations that resemble intestinal obstruction but in the absence of any physical obstructive process. Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disease characterized by the dysfunction of multiple systems, including significant gastrointestinal involvement. We report the occurrence of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction in two unrelated patients with Fabry disease and the possible explanation of a direct relation of these two disorders. In Fabry disease, gastrointestinal symptoms occur in approximately 70% of male patients, but the frequency ranges from 19% to 69% in different series. In some patients, colonic dysmotility due glycolipid deposition in autonomic plexus and ganglia can lead to the pseudo-obstruction syndrome, simulating intestinal necrosis. That is why up to this date colostomy has been performed in some cases, even for children with FD without cardiac, renal or cerebrovascular compromise. Early treatment with enzyme replacement therapy in asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients may be justified in order to prevent disease progression. Several studies have demonstrated that enzyme replacement therapy alleviates GI manifestations. Because of the non-specific nature of the gastrointestinal symptoms, diagnosis of Fabry disease is often delayed for several years. Gastrointestinal involvement is often misdiagnosed or under-reported. It is therefore very important to consider Fabry disease in the differential diagnosis of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction.

Keywords

• Fabry disease
• Lysosomal storage disease
• Sphingolipidoses