10th January 2024

A 50-year-old man presents with abdominal pain. He is not in pain now but reports significant cramping pain

A 50-year-old man presents with abdominal pain. He is not in pain now but reports significant cramping pain coming in spasms. He has not opened his bowels for the last week and is vomiting. He has lost weight.

On examination, he has an empty rectum, absent bowel sounds, and cachexia. Abdominal X-ray reveals a bowel obstruction.

What explains the crampy and paroxysmal nature of his pain?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.