Acute Colonic Pseudo-obstruction Induced by Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

• Main Authors: Sung Ju Ryu, Jong Yoon Lee, Jong Hoon Lee
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Jin Publishing & Printing Co. 2021-06-01
• Series: The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology
• Subjects: colonic pseudo-obstruction; neuroleptic malignant syndrome; schizophrenia
• Online Access: http://www.kjg.or.kr/journal/view.html?uid=5718&vmd=Full

A colonic pseudo-obstruction is a disorder that causes abdominal distension and abdominal pain similar to a mechanical obstruction, but there are no structural lesions that can obstruct the gastrointestinal tract. This condition can be acute or chronic. An acute colonic pseudo-obstruction, also called Ogilvie's syndrome, is believed to be a condition induced by other causes that are different from a chronic colonic pseudo-obstruction. The pathogenesis involves abnormalities in the autonomic nervous system induced by systemic diseases or medications, and it often improves when the primary causes are treated. On the other hand, a chronic colonic pseudo-obstruction can occur repeatedly without a particular cause. The authors encountered neuroleptic malignant syndrome that caused acute colonic pseudo-obstruction. This paper reports a case with a review of the relevant literature. This is the first case reported in Korea. This case shows that physicians should consider neuroleptic malignant syndrome as a cause of an acute colonic pseudo- obstruction.