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Surgeons frequently deal with small bowel obstruction. However, small bowel obstruction caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced diaphragm disease is very rare. The diagnosis is challenging, as symptoms are often non-specific and radiological studies remain inconclusive. We present a case of a 63-year-old man who, after an extensive diagnostic work-up and small bowel resection for obstructive symptoms, was finally diagnosed with NSAID-induced diaphragm disease as confirmed by histology. An unusual aspect of this case is that the patient stopped using NSAIDs after he was diagnosed with a gastric ulcer 2–years previously. This suggests that NSAID-induced diaphragms of the small bowel take some time to develop and underlines the importance of careful history taking.

Original publication

DOI

10.1308/rcsann.2016.0235

Type

Journal article

Journal

The Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England

Publisher

Royal College of Surgeons of England

Publication Date

11/2016

Volume

98

Pages

e189 - e191