Ogilvie's syndrome in acute myeloid leukemia: pharmacological approach with neostigmine.

Abstract

Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction, the so-called Ogilvie's syndrome, is a rare and life-threatening digestive complication usually observed in critically ill patients. It is characterized by signs of large-bowel obstruction, without a mechanical cause, and has been reported in various settings, including acute leukemias as a complication of neutropenic enterocolitis after intensive chemotherapy. We describe the case of a young woman who, during the neutropenic phase following autologous bone marrow transplantation for relapsed acute myeloid leukemia, developed neutropenic enterocolitis complicated by an acute pseudo-obstruction of descendent colon and sigma. This process was associated with sepsis and resolved with conservative therapy of the underlying condition, using granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and intravenous neostigmine. We discuss the management of this rare syndrome.

• Authors: M Breccia, C Girmenia, S Mecarocci, C Cartoni, I Carmosino, A Tafuri, G Alimena
• Journal: Annals of hematology (Ann Hematol) Vol. 80 Issue 10 Pg. 614-6 (Oct 2001) ISSN: 0939-5555 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 11732875 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cholinesterase Inhibitors
• Neostigmine

Topics

• Adult
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (therapeutic use)
• Bone Marrow Transplantation (adverse effects)
• Cholinesterase Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction (diagnostic imaging, drug therapy, etiology)
• Enterocolitis (complications)
• Female
• Humans
• Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute (complications, therapy)
• Neostigmine (therapeutic use)
• Neutropenia (complications)
• Recurrence
• Ultrasonography