A frequently missed entity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): Intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IpsO)

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IpsO) is defined as presenceof clinical features of intestinal obstruction withoutidentifiable mechanical obstructive lesion. IpsO is anuncommon gastrointestinal manifestation of systemic lupuserythematosus (SLE) and is largely under-recognised. Thereare only over 30 published cases in English literature onSLE-related IpsO. Herein, we report two cases of SLE-relatedIpsO to illustrate the importance of early recognition toavoid unnecessary surgical intervention, as SLE-relatedIpsO responds well to systemic high dose corticosteroids.These two cases also demonstrate the apparent associationof IpsO with uretero-hydronephrosis, suggesting that thepossible mechanism could be smooth muscle dysmotility