DUODENAL OBSTRUCTION

DUODENAL OBSTRUCTION

Duodenal obstruction in adults is usually due to malignancy , and cancer of the pancreas is the most common cause. Treat ment is usually by gastroenterostomy , but duodenal stenting is increasingly being used. In patients having a surgical biliary bypass for pancreatic cancer, g astric drainage may be necessary . A variety of other malignancies can cause duodenal obstruction, including metastases from colorectal and gastric cancer. Primary duodenal cancer is much less common as a cause of obstruction than these other malignancies. Annular pancreas may rarely cause duodenal obstruction. Obstruction usually follows an attack of pancr eatitis, and, on occasions, the obstruction may be mistaken for malignancy . Arteriomesenteric compression is an ill-defined condition in which it is proposed that the fourth part of the duodenum is compressed between the superior mesenteric artery and the vertebral column; when it is convincingly demonstrated and causing weight loss , duodenojejunostomy may be performed.