1. Life-threatening bowel complications in adults with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a case series.
- Author
-
Nart, Luca, Desikan, Mahalekshmi, Emmanuel, Anton, and Quinlivan, Ros
- Subjects
- *
DUCHENNE muscular dystrophy , *SHORT bowel syndrome , *VOLVULUS , *SIGMOID volvulus , *WASTING syndrome , *SURGERY , *OLDER patients - Abstract
• Gastrointestinal involvement is common in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. • Bowel dysmotility can manifest as life-threatening pseudo-obstruction or volvulus. • Cardiorespiratory co-morbidities can make surgical interventions high-risk. • Parenteral nutritional has a role in the management of this bowel dysmotility. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a progressive muscle wasting disease caused by pathogenic variants in DMD. Gastrointestinal involvement is increasingly recognised in older patients and can manifest as life-threatening bowel dysmotility. We describe a series of adults with Duchenne muscular dystrophy who developed either severe colonic pseudo-obstruction or sigmoid volvulus requiring urgent assessment and intervention. The presentations varied in their clinical picture and outcomes, but together highlight the complexity of managing gastrointestinal complications in this cohort of patients. Key considerations include pre-existing cardiorespiratory compromise and the increased risk associated with surgery and general anaesthesia. We also outline a role for home parenteral nutrition in the long-term management of associated bowel dysmotility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF