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Small bowel obstruction (gross pathology)

Case contributed by Andrew Ryan
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Presents with closed loop bowel obstruction.

Patient Data

Age: 70 years
Gender: Male

Macroscopic:

  • a segment of small bowel 540 mm in length and up to 45 mm in diameter
  • widespread congestion of small bowel and mesentery
  • dilatation and wall thinning 
  • two localized segmental constrictions approximately 30 mm and 140 mm from one margin
  • mucosal congestion and attenuation
  • there is localized viable mucosa at the margin in the opened photograph.
  • there is no evidence of perforation 

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