Acute presentation of cystic fibrosis in an adult.

The case history of a female patient presenting at the age of 25 with cystic fibrosis is described. Despite longstanding significant respiratory symptoms, she did not attend hospital until she was 23 and then failed to appear for further investigations and treatment. At the age of 25, she was admitted with a severe lower respiratory tract infection and respiratory failure. Within 5 days, acute intestinal obstruction developed which was unresponsive to conservative therapy. At laparotomy the small bowel was obstructed just proximally to the ileocaecal valve by solid faecal material. Post-operatively, the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis was confirmed by quantitative pilocarpine iontophoresis tests. The literature is reviewed regarding the adult presentations of cystic fibrosis and the recommended treatment for distal intestinal obstruction syndrome. The presence of adult cystic patients within the community is emphasized.