Antonucci A, Fronzoni L, Cogliandro L, Cogliandro RF, Caputo C, Giorgio RD, Pallotti F, Barbara G, Corinaldesi R, Stanghellini V. Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. World J Gastroenterol 2008; 14(19): 2953-2961 [PMID: 18494042 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.14.2953]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Vincenzo Stanghellini, MD, Department of Internal Medicine & Gastroenterology, St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Via Massarenti 9, Bologna I-40138, Italy. v.stanghellini@unibo.it
Article-Type of This Article
Editorial
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World J Gastroenterol. May 21, 2008; 14(19): 2953-2961 Published online May 21, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.2953
Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction
Alexandra Antonucci, Lucia Fronzoni, Laura Cogliandro, Rosanna F Cogliandro, Carla Caputo, Roberto De Giorgio, Francesca Pallotti, Giovanni Barbara, Roberto Corinaldesi, Vincenzo Stanghellini
Alexandra Antonucci, Lucia Fronzoni, Laura Cogliandro, Rosanna F Cogliandro, Carla Caputo, Roberto De Giorgio, Francesca Pallotti, Giovanni Barbara, Roberto Corinaldesi, Vincenzo Stanghellini, Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, University of Bologna, Bologna I-40138, Italy
Author contributions: Antonucci A, Fronzoni L performed PubMed and Medline searches pertinent to the objective of the present article and reviewed the literature; Cogliandro L contributed analyzing the text, reviewing literature; Caputo C and Pallotti F performed PubMed and Medline searches particularly focusing on previously published articles on pathophysiology of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction; Cogliandro RF, De Giorgio R, Barbara G, Corinaldesi R and Stanghellini V contributed to the writing manuscript, section coordination and English editing.
Correspondence to: Vincenzo Stanghellini, MD, Department of Internal Medicine & Gastroenterology, St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Via Massarenti 9, Bologna I-40138, Italy. v.stanghellini@unibo.it
Telephone: +39-51-6364101
Fax: +39-51-345864
Received: January 15, 2008 Revised: March 23, 2008 Published online: May 21, 2008
Abstract
Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) is a severe digestive syndrome characterized by derangement of gut propulsive motility which resembles mechanical obstruction, in the absence of any obstructive process. Although uncommon in clinical practice, this syndrome represents one of the main causes of intestinal failure and is characterized by high morbidity and mortality. It may be idiopathic or secondary to a variety of diseases. Most cases are sporadic, even though familial forms with either dominant or recessive autosomal inheritance have been described. Based on histological features intestinal pseudo-obstruction can be classified into three main categories: neuropathies, mesenchymopathies, and myopathies, according on the predominant involvement of enteric neurones, interstitial cells of Cajal or smooth muscle cells, respectively. Treatment of intestinal pseudo-obstruction involves nutritional, pharmacological and surgical therapies, but it is often unsatisfactory and the long-term outcome is generally poor in the majority of cases.
