This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citing articles on Web of Science (8)  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

A Difficult Diagnosis

Larry H. Killebrew, MD; John S. Kukora, MD

Arch Surg. 1983;118(7):875-877.

Abstract
• Intestinal obstruction in adults caused by congenital duodenal webs is uncommon. Roentgenographic and endoscopic diagnosis is difficult owing to frequently nonspecific roentgenographic findings and the obliteration of normal pyloric endoscopic anatomy. The ultimate diagnosis of this lesion is likely to be made at the time of celiotomy for suspected obstructing peptic ulcer disease with the observation of an unobstructed pylorus. We studied three recent cases and reviewed the pertinent literature, which demonstrated problems associated with preoperative and surgical diagnosis and management. Diagnosis of duodenal webs should be suspected in all patients with gastric or high duodenal obstruction and investigated by digital duodenal exploration at the time of surgery.

(Arch Surg 1983;118:875-877)

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center and Veterans Administration Medical Center, Jackson.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Nov 2, 1982.

Reprint requests to Department of Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 N State St, Jackson, MS 39216 (Dr Kukora).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?