Finding into death of Peter Stuart Jamieson

57y · Male·Small bowel obstruction due to mid small bowel volvulus

Peter Jamieson, a 57-year-old man with multiple chronic conditions including dysphagia and constipation, was residing in a disability care facility. On 6 July 2022, he developed diarrhoea, refused food/drink, and developed a cough. His GP attended and diagnosed a rhinovirus-related upper respiratory tract infection, prescribing amoxicillin. The following morning he was found non-responsive and deceased. Autopsy revealed death from small bowel obstruction due to mid-bowel volvulus. The case highlights the challenge of recognising subtle presentations of acute abdominal catastrophe in patients with communication difficulties and chronic constipation. Earlier recognition that diarrhoea followed by complete refusal of oral intake in a constipation-prone patient warrants urgent abdominal assessment, possibly including imaging, might have altered the outcome.