چکیده (انگلیسی):

Introduction: Abdominal pain is frequently found in the pregnant population; however life-threatening
pathology such as colorectal cancer does occur rarely. As such, intestinal obstructions are usually
attributed to pregnancy-related issues. We present the case of a young woman with an acute bowel
obstruction caused by advanced colorectal carcinoma.
Presentation of Case: A 34-year old pregnant woman was referred to our emergency department with
complaints of severe upper abdominal pain. Initial investigations did not show abdominal pathology and
conservative treatment for obstipation was commenced. However, complaints persisted and a near
blowout of the colon was diagnosed, prompting a caesarean section and diagnostic laparotomy. An
obstructing tumour was found and a left-sided hemi-colectomy was performed. Unfortunately, skeletal,
lymphatic and additional hepatogenic metastasis were discovered during chemotherapy and treatment
was discontinued.
Discussion and conclusion: The mainstay of abdominal complaints during pregnancy can be attributed to
normal physiological alterations associated with gravidity. Nonetheless serious pathology should be
considered, especially when conservative treatment fails. On this note, diagnostic imaging during
pregnancy should be used promptly upon suspicion of serious abdominal pathology.