Abstract
Background
We describe an unusual case of NSAID-induced gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) in the absence of malignancy or ulcers. This was successfully managed conservatively with drug withdrawal and serial endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD).
Aims
Case Report
Methods
Case Report and Literature Review
Results
A 58-year-old woman with 20-year history of daily Ketorolac use for osteoarthritis presented with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) of 58 g/L and post-prandial emesis for 2 months. There was no overt GI bleeding. Gastroscopy revealed severe erosive esophagitis and GOO with no ulcers. After a negative CT imaging ruled out extrinsic malignant compression, GOO was managed with EBD. Examination of the duodenum post-EBD revealed complete atrophy and scalloping. Focused biopsies reveal chronic gastritis, complete villous atrophy in the duodenum; ruled out H. Pylori, celiac disease, amyloidosis and dysplasia. EUS negative for infiltrative disease or regional adenopathy. Vitamin B12, anti-TTG I IgA, HLA DQ2/8 were normal. These findings made drug-induced enteropathy the top contender.
PPI therapy was initiated and NSAID discontinued. Five serial EBD were performed over 4 months to 18mm. A pureed diet was tolerated after 2 dilations. Follow-up at 3 months showed partial recovery of enteropathy and pyloric stenosis. No adverse events were seen.
The severe esophagitis was likely an erosive process secondary to reflux from GOO. Her IDA is likely multifactorial: Severe enteropathy and GOO may have led to chronic malabsorption; occult GI bleeding from erosions or ulcers that have healed may further contribute. Ketorolac could explain the enteropathy. COX-1 inhibition leads to decreased gastric cytoprotection. In rat models, COX-2 inhibition has been suggested to delay gastric healing and dysregulated immune response to food antigens in the small bowel [4–6].
NSAID-induced GOO almost always occur in the context of peptic ulcer disease [1,2]. A similar case [3] found pyloric stenosis in a 75-year old woman with esophagitis and ulcer-induced pyloric stenosis. They postulate that post ulcerative healing led to benign pyloric stenosis and explained the absence of ulcers.
Historically, surgical intervention and stent placement have played a major role in the management of benign mechanical GOO. EBD has replaced surgical intervention as first line therapy [7] showing promising results beyond 3 months post EBD[8], sparing patients from surgery related morbidity. An algorithm has been suggested by us [Img 1] for the management of benign GOO.
Conclusions
We present an unusual case of NSAID-induced mechanical GOO and enteropathy. This case highlights these entities as rare but serious complications of chronic NSAID use. Management of benign mechanical GOO should be individualized. Prudence with prescribing NSAIDs to at risk populations is recommended.
Funding Agencies
None
Gastric outlet obstruction: an unusual case of primary duodenal tuberculosis
