A Case of Ogilvie's Syndrome

Abstract

Ogilvie's syndrome consists of acute large bowel dilatation without mechanical obstruction. An 87-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with abdominal distention. Neither abdominal defence nor rebound tenderness was seen during the physical examination. A plain abdominal X-ray showed dilatation of the colon. The patient underwent a emergency colonoscopy, and intraoperatively, organic obstruction and signs of ischemia were not seen. We diagnosed the condition as Ogilvie's syndrome, and colonic decompression by colonoscopy was effectively performed. When Ogilvie's syndrome is diagnosed early, treatment with decompression is successful. When colonic obstruction is suspected, we should consider the possibility of Ogilvie's syndrome.