A Case of Delayed Duodenal Obstruction Due to Traumatic Fibrosis Following Seromuscular and Intramural Injury

Abstract

Objective: Traumatic duodenal obstructions are rare, and most are caused by compression from intramural or retroperitoneal macroscopic hematomas. This report describes a very rare type of delayed traumatic duodenal obstruction without macroscopic intramural or extraluminal hematoma caused by traumatic fibrosis due to seromuscular and intramural injury and microscopic hemorrhage. Case presentation: A 31-year-old man was transferred to our center due to polytrauma with nausea and vomiting on day 53 after an accident. Gastrointestinal fiberscopy (GIF) on day 57 revealed an active stage small duodenal ulcer with patency of the pyloric ring. Although the patient underwent subdural drainage, the nausea and vomiting continued. A repeat GIF on day 91 revealed a duodenal ulcer with severe pyloric stenosis. GIF after nasogastric drainage on day 102 identified a severe pinhole stenosis. We performed surgery on day 106 and observed a constricted duodenal bulb due to a tumorous scar. We resected the stenotic section of the duodenal bulb including the pyloric ring. Conclusion: The histopathologic examination revealed constriction and fibrosis. Surgical options should be considered for patients with delayed duodenal obstruction without macroscopic hematoma around the duodenum after several months of hospitalization.