Jejunoileitis with Obstruction

Obstruction is a common feature of Crohn’s disease. Although the most common location is found in the terminal ileum, it can also occur more proximally as seen in several of the patients being presented. It is also frequently seen in association with fistulas usually from the diseased small bowel to the mesentery or another loop of small or large bowel. The division of Crohn’s disease into obstructive versus fistulizing disease is somewhat arbitrary and is based mostly on the predominant symptom. Treatment of obstructive symptoms is usually by resection; although in cases with extensive disease or multiple previous resections, strictureplasty is a good alternative since it allows for bowel preservation.