Ogilvie syndrome with cecal perforation. A rare complication after isolated thoracic trauma. Case report and current literature review

In reviewing 750 cases of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction from the literature, the most commonly associated disorders are listed and the therapeutical management is critically discussed. The authors describe an additional case of a 77-year-old male with ogilvie's syndrome following isolated thoracic trauma. Ogilvie's syndrome has been used synonymously with acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO) of the colon, first defined by Sir Heneage Ogilvie in 1948. If inappropriately managed, the massive colonic dilatation may lead to caecal ischaemia and perforation with a high mortality rate. Aetiology and pathogenesis of the syndrome are still unknown, but mostly ACPO is associated with a wide variety of medical conditions. Often it appears to be a complication after abdominal or pelvic surgery or trauma. In few cases the pseudo-obstruction is isolated and therefore truly idiopathic. Conservative treatment is indicated if the caecum is less than 12 cm in diameter. If there is a progressive increase in diameter or no improvement is seen, the colon should be decompressed without further delay. The indications for surgery are failure of conservative treatment and colonoscopy, signs for ceacal ischaemia or perforation. The choice of procedure, coecostomy or resection, is dictated by the state of the caecum. Due to a high mortality rate (up to 50%) if the caecum is perforated, an aggressive therapeutical management should be applied.