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Diseases » Intestinal obstruction » Glossary

Glossary for Intestinal obstruction

Abdominal Pain: A condition which is characterized by the sensation of pain that is located in the abdomen
Abdominal chemodectomas with cutaneous angiolipomas: A rare genetic condition involving the growth of a tumor-like mass of lymphatic tissue in the abdomen.
Abdominal cystic lymphangioma: A rare form of benign tumor that occurs in infants. It is essentially a malformation of one of the abdominal lymph vessels where a portion is dilated and form a lymph fluid-filled cyst. Symptoms may vary depending on the exact location and size of the cyst.
Abdominal swelling: Swelling or bloating of the abdomen
Abdominal tumor: tumors of the abdomen
Adenophorea Infections: A parasitic roundworm infection. Roundworms can be found in water and soil environments as well as on plants and in animals.
Adhesions: A fibrous band or structure by which parts abnormally adhere
Appendicitis/acute appendicitis/chronic appendicitis:
Bowel ischemia: A condition which is characterized by an acute vascular insufficiency of the colon
Cast syndrome: Obstruction of the third part of the duodenum by an artery following the use of a body plaster cast or a Bradford frame.
Cholestasis: A condition where the bile flow is impaired or completely halted.
Cholestasis - pigmentary retinopathy - cleft palate: A rare syndrome characterized by degeneration of retinal pigments, cleft lip, cleft palate, kidney problems and cholestasis (bile flow obstruction).
Chromosome 1, uniparental disomy 1q12 q21: A rare chromosomal disorder where part or all of the short arm (p) of chromosome 1 is deleted resulting in various abnormalities which are determined by the size of the deleted portion.
Chromosome 1p deletion syndrome: A rare chromosomal disorder where part or all of the short arm (p) of chromosome 1 is deleted resulting in various abnormalities which are determined by the size of the deleted portion.
Colonic diverticulosis: Diverticulosis, otherwise known as "diverticular disease", is the condition of having diverticula in the colon which are outpocketings of the colonic mucosa and submucosa through weaknesses of muscle layers in the colon wall.
Colonic malakoplakia: A rare form of inflammatory disease that occurs in the colon and occurs mainly in immunocompromised people. The severity of the disorder can vary from asymptomatic to intestinal obstruction and even death in rare cases.
Colonic volvulus: Twisting of the colon.
Colorectal cancer: Cancer of the colon (bowel) or rectum.
Constipation: Difficult or dry bowel movements
Crohn's disease: Crohn's disease causes inflammation of the digestive system. It is one of a group of diseases called inflammatory bowel disease. The disease can affect any area from the mouth to the anus. It often affects the lower part of the small intestine called the ileum.
Currarino triad: A rare birth malformation consisting of abnormalities in the anal, sacral and presacral areas.
De Lange 1: A rare disorder involving a variety of congenital abnormalities including retarded growth, behavioral problems, characteristic facial features and upper limb abnormalities.
Desmoid disease, hereditary: A rare inherited disorder characterized by the development of benign growths called desmoid tumors or fibromatoses. The growth usually occurs in the abdomen but can occur in the neck, chest, arms and legs. Symptoms vary depending on the size and location of the growths. Even thought the growths are benign the can cause localized damage and obstruction. The condition can stabilize or become progressively worse and ultimately lead to death. The tumors often develop after some sort of trauma such as abdominal surgery or childbirth.
Digestive duplication: Duplication of a part of the digestive system. Duplication of the anal canal is the least common where as duplication of the Symptoms vary depending on what part of the digestive system is duplicated.
Diphyllobothrium latum infection: A tapeworm infection with a tapeworm species called Diphyllobothrium latum. The infection is called diphyllobothriasis and usually results from eating undercooked contaminated fish. Infections are most common in countries where eating raw fish is common e.g. Japan, North America, Asia and parts of Europe. The severity of symptoms is variable but most infections are asymptomatic. The tapeworm infestation can continue for decades if untreated.
Dipylidiasis: A parasitic intestinal infection caused by a tapeworm called Dipylidium caninum. The parasite commonly infects dogs and cats but can occur in humans. Transmission usually occurs through accidental ingestion of infected cat or dog fleas. Children are more likely to become infected and are also more likely to have symptoms.
Diverticular Disease: Protrusions of the colon wall (diverticulosis) or their inflammation (diverticulitis)
Dosage-sensitive sex reversal: A genetic defect resulting in a sex reversal in people with a normal 46,XY karyotype. Thus a genetic male may develop female external genitalia. The severity of the condition is variable with external genitalia ranging from female to ambiguous to male.
Familial Colorectal Cancer: An inherited disorder in which affected individuals have a higher-than-normal chance of developing colorectal cancer and certain other types of cancer, often before the age of 50.
Familial Mediterranean fever: A rare inherited condition characterized by recurrent fever and inflammation. The inflammation usually involves the stomach, lungs or joints.
Fasciolopsiasis: Infection with a type of intestinal fluke (Fasciola buski). Infection occurs by eating infected aquatic plants. The adult fluke attaches itself to the intestinal wall and causes ulcers which may be asymptomatic unless there is an extensive infestation.
Fecal impaction: Impaction of hard stool in the bowel
Hardikar syndrome: A very rare disorder characterized by obstructive liver disease, cleft lip, cleft palate, eye and urogenital abnormalities.
Hereditary colorectal cancer: Individuals affected with hereditary colorectal cancer inherit a mutation in one of several genes involved in DNA mismatch repair, including MSH2, MLH1, and PMS2. ras gene mutations have been detected in the stool of patients with colorectal cancer and may in the future be useful in early diagnosis.
Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer: A rare disorder characterized by the inherited predisposition to develop colorectal cancer as well as cancers in other locations, particularly near the bowel. Even though sufferers face an increased risk of various cancers it does not mean that they will actually develop the cancer.
Hernia: General term for an organ protruding where it should not.
Heterophyiasis: Infection with a type of intestinal fluke (Heterophyes heterophyes). Infection usually occurs through eating raw or undercooked contaminated freshwater fish. The adult fluke attaches itself to the intestinal wall and causes ulcers which may be asymptomatic unless there is an extensive infestation.
Intestinal pseudoobstruction chronic idiopathic: A digestive disorder where the intestines are unable to contract normally and push food through the digestive system. This results in symptoms similar to an obstruction and hence the name pseudoobstruction. The condition has no obvious cause.
Intussusception: Bowel folding into itself sometimes creating bowel obstruction
Kaposiform hemangio-endothelioma: A rare blood vessel tumor that occur primarily in children. It causes localized damage but is not metastatic. Main sites affected are the retroperitoneum and skin but can also occur in the head and neck area, mediastinum and deep soft tissue of the trunk and limbs. Symptoms and prognosis is determined by the size and location of the tumors.
Lymphangiomas: A form of angioma caused by lymph vessels
MSI-H colorectal cancer: MSI sporadic colorectal cancers with a high level of MSI (MSI-H) form a well defined group with distinct clinicopathologic features characterized by an overall better long-term prognosis.
MSI-L colorectal cancer: Colorectal cancer is classified based on the microsatellite instability status and this is important for effective clinical management. MSI-L colorectal cancer is not clearly defined.
MSS colorectal cancer: Microsatellite analysis is commonly used initial screening tests for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer.
McKusick-Kaufman syndrome: A rare genetic disorder characterized by hydrometrocolpos (fluid buildup in vagina and uterus), extra fingers and congenital heart defects.
Mental retardation, X-linked, Reish type: A rare disorder characterized by mental retardation, brain anomalies, skeletal malformations, intestinal problems, eye and ear anomalies, cleft palate and kidney abnormalities. Some infants with the disorder die soon after birth due to breathing problems. The disorder is inherited in a X-linked manner which means that only males display the full range of symptoms whereas female carriers may have mild or no symptoms.
Neurofibromatosis, familial intestinal: A rare type of familial tumor that arises from intestinal nerves.
Oesophagostomiasis: A parasitic intestinal infection caused by a nematode called Oesophagostomum bifurcum. The parasite commonly infects monkeys, goats, cattle, sheep and pigs. The infection is relatively rare in humans but is most commonly found in northern Togo and Ghana. Transmission usually occurs through oral contact with contaminated soil.
Peptic Ulcer: Ulcer on the lining of the stomach or duodenum
Peritonitis: Inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity
Rectractile mesenteritis: A disorder involving the tissue that connects the small intestine to the back of the back of the abdominal wall (mesentery) and is characterized by infection and inflammation followed by fibrosis.
Severe abdominal cramps: The occurrence of severe cramps that are located in the abdomen
Small intestine diverticulosis: Small intestinal diverticulosis refers to the clinical entity characterized by the presence of multiple saclike mucosal herniations through weak points in the intestinal wall.
Stomach cramps: Cramping or other stomach discomfort
Tuberculosis: Bacterial infection causing nodules forming, most commonly in the lung.
Vomiting: Vomiting or retching symptoms.
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: A rare disorder where excessive levels of the hormone gastrin are released into the stomach which increases stomach acidity which results in peptic ulcer development. A hormone secreting pancreatic or duodenal tumor is usually the cause.