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blind loop syndrome; stagnant loop syndrome; stasis syndrome
Etiology:
- post gastrectomy
- bariatric surgery
- Crohn's disease
- scleroderma
Pathology:
1) stagnation of intestinal contents
2) bacterial overgrowth syndrome
3) bacterial production of substances that interfere with absorption of vitamins, fat & other nutrients
4) generally occurs in a region of the small intestine that has been excluded from the flow of chyme
Clinical manifestations:
- loose stools, diarrhea
- malabsorption, steatorrhea
- early satiety
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- unintentional weight loss
Laboratory:
- hydrogen breath test glucose [2]
Radiology:
- upper GI series
- computed tomography
Complications:
- intestinal obstruction
- intestinal infarction
- intestinal perforation
- vitamin B12 deficiency, interference with intrinsic factor
Management:
1) antibiotics & nutritional supplements [2]
2) surgically repair of a postoperative blind loop [4]
- not always feasible
General
bacterial overgrowth syndrome
References
- Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams &
Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 14, 17.
American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2006, 2015.
- Medline Plus
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001146.htm
- Blind Loop syndrome
Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/blind-loop-syndrome/DS00629