Spotlight On

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) is a rare disease characterized by repetitive episodes or continuous symptoms of bowel obstruction when no blockage exists

Prevalence

Exact prevalence unknown

N/A

US Estimated

N/A

Europe Estimated

Age of Onset

All ages

ICD-10

K59.8

Inheritance Pattern

Autosomal dominant

Autosomal recessive

X-linked recessive

rnn https://raremedicalnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Depositphotos_225434792_XL-scaled.jpg

5 Facts you should know

FACT

CIPO is characterized by recurrent symptoms of bowel obstruction without a mechanical blockage, caused by impaired enteric nerve or smooth muscle function

FACT

Can be primary (idiopathic or genetic) or secondary to systemic diseases such as mitochondrial disorders, connective tissue diseases, or neurologic conditions

FACT

Clinical manifestations include abdominal pain, distension, nausea, vomiting, constipation, malnutrition, and failure to thrive, with onset possible at any age, from infancy to adulthood

FACT

Diagnosis relies on a combination of clinical history, radiographic and motility studies, and exclusion of mechanical obstruction, with full-thickness intestinal biopsy sometimes required to assess neuromuscular abnormalities

FACT

Management is supportive and multidisciplinary, focusing on nutritional support (enteral or parenteral nutrition), prokinetic agents, infection control, and in severe cases, intestinal transplantation

Interest over time

Google searches