Small intestine

The small bowel is a relatively well-behaved piece of machinery from the perspective of pathology. It is uncommonly affected by malignancies.

Anatomy

Consists of three segments:

• Duodenum (which can be divided into four parts).
• Jejunum.
• Ileum.

The later two parts keep general surgeons awake at night (quite literally) 'cause they get obstructed and need urgent operations.

The usual causes of bowel obstruction (large & small) are (mnemonic) SHAVING:

• Strictures (think IBD),
• Hernias,
• Adhesions,
• Volvulus,
• Intussusception,
• Neoplasia,
• Gallstone ileus.

The top three are:

• adhesions > hernias > neoplasms.

In the context of bowel obstructions and IBD, pathologists often see resected stomas (that were put in place emergently). These specimens are usually fairly straight forward.

Histology

Main article: Gastrointestinal pathology

Duodenum

Main article: Duodenum

The duodenum is often biopsied by gastroenterologists.

Common reasons for biopsy:

• Suspected giardia.
• Suspected celiac sprue.
• Is this cancer?
• Looks normal... want to dot the i's and cross the t's.

Jejunum

• Uncommonly seen by pathologists.
• May be seen in the context of a resection done for a bowel obstruction.

Ileum

• This is seen occasionally -- often in the context of IBD and more specifically Crohn's disease.
• Crohn's disease (and ulcerative colitis) is discussed in the colon article.

Nodular lymphoid hyperplasia

General

• An uncommon diagnosis
• Prominent lymphoid follicles
• May be assoc. with hypogammaglobulinemia.

Small bowel cancer

DDx:

• Adenocarcinoma.

See also

• Stomach
• Gastrointestinal pathology
• Colon