<unk>  (IPO) is a clinical syndrome caused by severe impairment in the ability of the intestines to push food through. It is characterized by the signs and symptoms of<unk>  obstruction without any lesion in the<unk>  lumen. Clinical features mimic those seen with mechanical<unk>  obstructions and can include abdominal pain, nausea, abdominal distension, vomiting, dysphagia and constipation depending upon the part of the gastrointestinal tract involved. It is a difficult condition to diagnose, requiring exclusion of any other mechanical cause of obstruction. Many patients are diagnosed late in the course of disease after additional symptoms are seen. Mortality is also difficult to accurately determine. One retrospective study estimated mortality to be between 10-25% for chronic<unk>  (CIPO) and to vary greatly depending on the etiology of the condition. When present for less than six months, it is diagnosed as acute IPO or Ogilvie's Syndrome. Longer than this is considered chronic. Owing to the difficulty of diagnosis, few studies are available which have attempted to estimate its prevalence. The condition can begin at any age. Most studies describing CIPO are in pediatric populations. It can be a primary condition (idiopathic or inherited) or caused by another disease (secondary). It can be a result of myriad of etiologies including infectious, parasitic, autoimmune, genetic, congenital, neurologic, toxic, endocrinological, or anatomical pathology. Treatment targets nutritional support, improving<unk>  motility, and minimizing surgical intervention. Bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine can occur in chronic cases - presenting as malabsorption, diarrhea, and nutrient deficiencies - which may require the use of antibiotics.
Intestinal pseudo-obstruction
Ovarian cyst
Distal intestinal obstruction syndrome
Crohn's disease
Vesicointestinal fistula
Bowel obstruction
Gastrojejunocolic fistula
Neoplasm