In familial adenomatous polyposis, intra-abdominal desmoid tumours can become symptomatic and develop air-fluid levels without progressing to generalised peritonitis. When an initial course of intravenous antibiotics does not achieve symptom resolution in this setting, a defined next management step applies.
Symptomatic intra-abdominal desmoid tumour with air-fluid levels; no generalised peritonitis. The clinical objective is resolution of symptoms.
Intravenous antibiotics represent the first-line approach for this presentation. When they fail to achieve resolution of symptoms, the protocol escalates to the next intervention.
The escalation protocol involves an image-guided procedural intervention aimed at achieving symptom resolution. The complete structured regimen — including patient selection, procedural specifics, and follow-up criteria — is available in the full protocol.
DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znae263