Spastic ileus is seen in –
Possible causes include lead poisoning, hypokalemia, and certain infections. Lead poisoning is a classic cause because it affects the nervous system, leading to spastic contractions. Hypokalemia can also cause this by affecting the smooth muscle function. Infections like typhoid or paratyphoid fever might lead to this as well.
The options might include lead poisoning, hypokalemia, typhoid, and maybe something like peritonitis. Wait, peritonitis usually causes paralytic ileus, not spastic. So if an option includes peritonitis, that's incorrect. The correct answer would be lead poisoning or hypokalemia. Let me check standard references. Yes, lead poisoning is a classic cause. So if the options are A: Lead poisoning, B: Hypokalemia, C: Typhoid, D: Peritonitis, then the correct answer is A and B? Wait, but the question says "spastic ileus is seen in" so maybe only one of them is correct. Let me think again. Lead poisoning is a primary cause, while hypokalemia can contribute. Typhoid might be a less common cause. So the most correct answer is likely lead poisoning. Therefore, the correct answer is A. Then the options would be structured accordingly. The explanation should highlight that spastic ileus is due to increased peristalsis caused by lead, and not paralytic ileus which is from decreased peristalsis. The incorrect options would be peritonitis (paralytic), hypokalemia (can cause spastic but maybe not the main one), and others. The clinical pearl is to remember that spastic vs. paralytic are different in etiology. So the core concept is understanding the causes of hyperperistaltic obstruction.
**Core Concept**
Spastic ileus (hyperperistaltic ileus) is a functional intestinal obstruction caused by **excessive peristalsis** due to toxic-metabolic or infectious insults. It contrasts with *paralytic ileus*, which involves decreased bowel motility.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is **lead poisoning**, a classic cause of spastic ileus. Lead neurotoxicity disrupts autonomic and enteric nervous system signaling, leading to **hyperactive peristalsis** and functional obstruction. This results in crampy abdominal pain, vomiting, and radiographic "thumbprinting" from thickened intestinal walls. Other causes include **hypokalemia** and **typhoid fever**, but lead poisoning is the most definitive etiology in this context.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option B:** *Peritonitis* causes **paralytic ileus** (low peristalsis), not spastic.
**Option C:** *Intestinal tuberculosis* typically causes **me