Blind loop syndrome, also known as Stagnant loop syndrome, is a medical condition that occurs when the intestine

Intestine

In human anatomy, the intestine is the segment of the alimentary canal extending from the pyloric sphincter of the stomach to the anus and, in humans and other mammals, consists of two segments, the small intestine and the large intestine...

 is obstructed, slowing or stopping the progress of digested food, and thus facilitating the growth of bacteria

Bacteria

Bacteria are a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals...

 to the point that problems in nutrient

Nutrient

A nutrient is a chemical that an organism needs to live and grow or a substance used in an organism's metabolism which must be taken in from its environment. They are used to build and repair tissues, regulate body processes and are converted to and used as energy...

 absorption occur.

Physiology

The obstruction of a section of intestine causes ineffective bile salt mediated digestion of fats, causing fatty stools and poor absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins. Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Vitamin B12 deficiency or hypocobalaminemia is a low blood level of vitamin B12, it can cause permanent damage to nervous tissue as a long term effect. Vitamin B12 was discovered from its relationship to the disease pernicious anemia, which is an autoimmune disease that destroys parietal cells in...

 may occur because the increased bacterial population can consume the vitamin.

Causes

Blind loop syndrome is a complication of surgical operations of the abdomen, as well as inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease

In medicine, inflammatory bowel disease is a group of inflammatory conditions of the colon and small intestine. The major types of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.-Classification:...

 or scleroderma

Scleroderma

Systemic sclerosis or systemic scleroderma is a systemic autoimmune disease or systemic connective tissue disease that is a subtype of scleroderma.-Skin symptoms:...

. Another cause is jejunoileal diverticula

Symptoms

• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Fullness after a meal
• Fatty stools
• Unintentional weight loss
• Generalised weakness

Signs and tests

A physical examination may reveal a mass or distention of the abdomen.

Tests which may be useful for diagnosis include:

• Abdominal x-ray
• Abdominal CT scan
• Contrast enema study

Treatment

The initial treatment generally involves antibiotics for the bacterial overgrowth, along with vitamin B₁₂ supplementation. If antibiotics are not successful, surgical correction of the obstruction to allow better flow of food through the intestine may be considered.