Incomplete Small Bowel Obstruction Caused by Idiopathic Diaphragm Disease of the Proximal Ileum

Diaphragm disease is a rare pathology and describes the phenomenon of circumferential, concentric mucosal lesions of the bowel which can cause progressive narrowing of the bowel lumen and bowel obstruction. The etiology insignificant majority of cases is previous or concurrent ingestion of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). A 55-year-old Caucasian man with no history of prior ingestion of NSAID presented with a three week history of progressive abdominal pain, distension and subsequent absolute constipation. He failed a trial of conservative management and subsequently underwent a laparotomy and small bowel resection for small bowel obstruction. Histopathological analysis revealed diaphragm disease of the small bowel. This case emphasizes the complexities in the management of patients with incomplete small bowel obstruction and highlights the possibility of diaphragm disease of the bowel in the absence of known risk factors.