RESUMO
Our understanding of multiple sclerosis (MS) has led to the development of new therapeutic strategies, including ocrelizumab, a third-generation humanized anti-CD20 antibody. Ocrelizumab is largely well tolerated with favorable effectiveness, however, it has been associated with reports of colitis presenting weeks to months following infusion. We present a case of severe localized colitis in the setting of recent surgery and chronic ocrelizumab use. High-dose IV hydrocortisone was initiated, and the patient showed gradual improvement. Repeat imaging after discharge showed near-complete resolution of the patient's condition. This case aims to increase awareness of possible postoperative severe localized colitis in MS patients on Ocrevus.
RESUMO
Patients who present with nausea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain typically undergo workups for small bowel obstruction (SBO). SBO is commonly caused by mechanical obstruction due to adhesions, inflammatory conditions, or malignancies. Hypothyroidism is primarily associated with decreased basal metabolic rate and rarely, in severe cases, gastrointestinal motility dysfunction. We report a case of a 44-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The workup, including computed tomography, showed a small bowel feces sign, highly suspicious for a mechanical SBO. His past medical history was significant for a poorly controlled hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis with a markedly elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level. He had no prior surgical history, and his family history was significant for a suspected inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in his son. The patient failed initial resuscitative nonoperative management and underwent exploratory laparoscopy that revealed diffusely dilated small bowel loops with no obvious cause of mechanical obstruction. Inflammatory markers for IBD were found to be negative, and the patient's gastrointestinal motility gradually improved with daily intravenous levothyroxine.