# Tangled culprit: a rare case of bezoar-induced small bowel obstruction with pulmonary Edema in a rural Guatemalan woman

## TL;DR

A 52-year-old woman in rural Guatemala developed a rare case of small bowel obstruction and pulmonary edema caused by a bezoar, highlighting challenges in low-resource settings.

## Contribution

This case report highlights the rare complication of bezoar-induced small bowel obstruction with pulmonary edema in a resource-limited setting.

## Key findings

- The patient's small bowel obstruction was caused by a bezoar with no prior abdominal surgeries or comorbidities.
- Fluid overload during resuscitation complicated the condition, leading to acute pulmonary edema.
- Radiologic findings showed dilated bowel loops and Kerley B lines, confirming both obstruction and pulmonary edema.

## Abstract

We present the unusual case of a 52-year-old woman from a low-resource community in Guatemala who developed small bowel obstruction, followed by acute pulmonary edema. The patient had no prior history of abdominal surgeries or significant comorbidities, making this presentation unexpected. The obstruction was caused by a bezoar and complicated by fluid overload during resuscitation. Radiologic findings revealed dilated bowel loops, suggesting bowel obstruction, and Kerley B lines, indicating concurrent pulmonary edema. This report underscores the challenges of managing complex emergencies in resource-limited settings, highlighting the importance of timely surgical intervention and careful fluid management.