Colonic involvement in pancreatitis. Six cases more

Lesions of the colon are generally considered to be sequelae of pancreatitis. They include: localized paralytic ileus (colon cutoff sign), necrosis, fistulae, stenosis and varices. On the basis of an extensive review of the literature (332 cases), it is suggested that the real incidence of these lesions is significant. The anatomic relationship of the large bowel to the pancreas is an important factor in the genesis and localization of the lesions. Enzymatic-inflammatory and ischemic processes are involved in the most highly supported theories. Each complication shows different diagnostic and clinical patterns. In this paper, six cases of such lesions are presented, including 2 cases of necrosis, 2 of stenosis, 1 of fistula and 1 case of localized paralytic ileus.