Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2005 May;18(2):96-101.
doi: 10.1055/s-2005-870890.

Acute intestinal pseudo-obstruction (Ogilvie's syndrome)

Nell Maloney  1 , H David Vargas
Affiliations

Acute intestinal pseudo-obstruction (Ogilvie's syndrome)

Nell Maloney et al. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2005 May.

Abstract

Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO), also known as Ogilvie's syndrome, is a condition characterized by massive colonic distension in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Patients presenting with Ogilvie's syndrome have underlying medical and surgical conditions predisposing them to the syndrome. Ogilvie's syndrome can often be managed by conservative therapy. However, unrecognized and untreated, the continued distension associated with Ogilvie's syndrome can lead to perforation that is associated with a high mortality rate. In this article, the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and treatment options are reviewed.

Keywords: Acute intestinal pseudo-obstruction; Ogilvie's syndrome.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Algorithm for acute colonic pseudo-obstruction. *If evidence of ischemia or perforation develop at any time, laparotomy is indicated. **Neostigmine may be repeated as necessary. ***Colonoscopy may be repeated once if initial colonoscopy shows no resolution.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Abdominal radiograph showing dilated colon consistent with Ogilvie's syndrome in a patient with septic shock and complete heart block.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Ogilvie W H. Large intestine colic due to sympathetic deprivation: a new clinical syndrome. Br Med J. 1948;2:671–673. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Saunders M D, Kimmey M B. Colonic pseudo-obstruction: the dilated colon in the ICU. Semin Gastrointest Dis. 2003;14:20–27. - PubMed
    1. Law N M, Bharucha A E, Undale A S, Zinmeister A R. Cholinergic stimulation enhances colonic motor activity, transit, sensation in humans. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2001;281:G1228–G1237. - PubMed
    1. Ponec R J, Saunders M D, Kimmey M B. Neostigmine for the treatment of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction. N Engl J Med. 1999;341:137–141. - PubMed
    1. Tenofsky P L, Beamer R L, Smith R S. Ogilvie syndrome as a postoperative complication. Arch Surg. 2000;135:682–687. - PubMed