Challenges in Managing Recurrent Small Bowel Obstruction in a Patient With Concurrent Hepatic Dysfunction and Alcohol Use Disorder: A Multidisciplinary Approach

TL;DR

This case report highlights the challenges of managing a complex patient with recurrent small bowel obstruction, liver issues, and alcohol use disorder.

Contribution

The paper presents a unique multidisciplinary approach to managing a complex case involving SBO, hepatic dysfunction, and alcohol use.

Findings

The patient's SBO was likely influenced by anatomical, hepatic, and metabolic factors.

Chronic alcohol use worsened gastrointestinal and liver conditions.

A multidisciplinary team approach was essential for managing the patient's complex health issues.

Abstract

This case report describes a 63-year-old Black man with recurrent small bowel obstruction (SBO), persistent abdominal pain, and hepatic dysfunction, set against a complex background of idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, chronic hepatomegaly, an indeterminate adrenal mass, and long-term alcohol use. Imaging revealed dilated bowel loops with partial obstruction, while laboratory findings showed elevated liver enzymes indicative of hepatic impairment. His clinical course highlighted the multifactorial nature of SBO, likely influenced by anatomical disruptions, hepatic pathology, and systemic metabolic factors, including potential adrenal involvement. The case emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach integrating gastroenterology, hepatology, and endocrinology to manage such intricate presentations. It also underscores the role of chronic alcohol use in exacerbating gastrointestinal and hepatic conditions, advocating for a holistic treatment strategy to optimize outcomes.

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