Diagnosis and therapy of primary hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in adults: case report and review of literature

Abstract

Adult idiopathic hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (AIHPS) is a misleading anatomic and radio-clinical entity of unknown etiology. Only about 200 cases have been reported in the literature. It is a benign disease resulting from hypertrophy of the circular fibers of the pyloric canal. Despite the recent progress in radiography and endoscopy, it is very hard to define hypertrophic stenosis in adults. Differentiation of primary from secondary pyloric stenosis is frequently a task of the pathologist rather than the surgeon. The main therapy is surgical, although endoscopic dilatation has been tried. There remains controversy over the best surgical approach. A case is reported of a 48-year-old male patient with AIHPS who was subjected to distal gastrectomy. This paper discusses the possible causes of the disorder, the recommended diagnostic steps, and the different surgical approaches.