A Newborn Case of Congenital Segmental Dilatation of the Small Intestine Successfully Diagnosed Before Operation

Abstract

We report a case of congenital segmental dilatation of the small intestine in a newborn. A 3,042 g boy was delivered vaginally at 39 weeks and 6 days of gestation. No abnormality was detected in his prenatal ultrasonography. Since he had abdominal distention, he showed poor oral intake from his birth, and his body weight decreased significantly in the first three days. Although abdominal radiography showed a dilatation of the intestine on his right upper abdomen, intestinal gas was also detected in the colon and rectum; therefore, congenital intestinal atresia was ruled out. An upper gastrointestinal tract contrast study showed a normal jejunum without dilatation, and a gastrografin enema showed a normal colon without any dilatation. A long tube was passed through the dilated area the following day to reduce the pressure of the dilated intestine. We diagnosed him as having congenital segmental dilatation of the small intestine from these findings. The dilated area of the intestine was resected, and his postoperative course was uneventful. Although congenital segmental dilatation of the small intestine is rare in congenital gastrointestinal diseases, it was possible to prepare sufficiently for surgery on this patient owing to a confirmed preoperative diagnosis.