Causes of Intestinal Obstruction

Location

Cause

Colon

Tumors (usually in left colon), diverticulitis (usually in sigmoid), volvulus of sigmoid or cecum, fecal impaction, Hirschsprung disease, Crohn disease

Duodenum

  • Adults

Cancer of the duodenum or cancer of the head of pancreas, ulcer disease

  • Neonates

Atresia, volvulus, bands, annular pancreas

Jejunum and ileum

  • Adults

Hernias, adhesions (common), tumors, Meckel diverticulum, Crohn disease (uncommon), Ascaris infestation, midgut volvulus, intussusception by tumor (rare), foreign body, gallstones (rare)

  • Neonates

Meconium ileus, volvulus of a malrotated gut, atresia, intussusception

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