Atypical Small Bowel Obstruction Caused by Perforated Cecum: A Case Report

Acute onset of abdominal pain with emesis and lack of stool or flatus is an alarming presentation for possible small bowel obstruction (SBO). SBO should be high on the differential diagnosis due to concomitant signs and symptoms that are highly sensitive in diagnosing SBO. These include diffuse tenderness on palpation of the abdomen, abdominal distention, hypotension, vomiting, and lack of flatus or stool. In this report, we present a 67-year-old African American male, who presented to the emergency department with the above-mentioned signs and symptoms and decreased oral intake for four days, ultimately undergoing surgical exploration to relieve the SBO caused by an idiopathic cecal perforation. This case report calls attention to the decision-making, standard protocol, and surgical intervention of a patient with SBO.