Abstract |
A 65-year-old gentleman presented with a history of abdominal distension and difficulty in walking 10 years after a Polya partial gastrectomy. Clinical history and neurological examination suggested an axonal sensory neuropathy. A computed tomographic scan of the abdomen showed a large afferent jejunal loop, and a hydrogen breath test confirmed small-bowel bacterial overgrowth secondary to the blind loop syndrome. Serological tests revealed low copper levels, which are a cause of a myeloneuropathy. The trace element deficiency occurred as a consequence of small-bowel bacterial overgrowth, and with antibiotic treatment of the bacterial overgrowth and copper supplementation his symptoms markedly improved.
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Authors | Heather I Lewis, Arjune Sen, Charles O Cockerell, Ralph R S H Greaves |
Journal | European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology
(Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol)
Vol. 23
Issue 10
Pg. 952-3
(Oct 2011)
ISSN: 1473-5687 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 21799420
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Aged
- Blind Loop Syndrome
(diagnostic imaging, etiology)
- Copper
(deficiency)
- Gait Ataxia
(etiology)
- Gastrectomy
(adverse effects)
- Humans
- Male
- Spinal Cord Diseases
(etiology)
- Tomography, X-Ray Computed
- Walking
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