An unusual and difficult diagnosis of intestinal obstruction: The abdominal cocoon. Case report and review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Abdominal cocoon is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction. The abdominal cocoon is probably a developmental abnormality, largely asymptomatic, and is found incidentally at laparotomy or autopsy. Pre-operative diagnosis cannot be often made correctly. This rare e...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Devay Ali O, Gomceli Ismail, Korukluoglu Birol, Kusdemir Ahmet
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2006-03-01
Series:World Journal of Emergency Surgery
Online Access:http://www.wjes.org/content/1/1/8
Description
Summary:<p>Abstract</p> <p>Abdominal cocoon is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction. The abdominal cocoon is probably a developmental abnormality, largely asymptomatic, and is found incidentally at laparotomy or autopsy. Pre-operative diagnosis cannot be often made correctly. This rare entity of intestinal obstruction has been described in the whole literature as a thick fibrotic sac covering the small bowel partially or completely. The etiology of abdominal cocoon is unknown and most often it is found in adolescent girls from tropical or subtropical countries. Complete recovery is generally expected after the removal of the membrane surgically. This paper reports a male patient who has had intestinal obstruction symptoms and has per-operatively been diagnosed as abdominal cocoon.</p>
ISSN:1749-7922