Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026

A Rat Model of Pouchitis Following Proctocolectomy and Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis Using Dextran Sulfate Sodium
Published on: May 31, 2024
Fulminant Clostridium difficile-associated pouchitis with a fatal outcome
Bo Shen1, Feza H Remzi, Victor W Fazio
1Digestive Disease Institute, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA.
A patient developed severe Clostridium difficile-associated pouchitis and enteritis after ileostomy closure. This led to fatal Pseudomonas aeruginosa septicemia and multi-organ failure despite aggressive treatment.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- A 61-year-old woman with a history of ulcerative colitis underwent ileostomy closure.
- She previously had a total proctocolectomy with ileal-pouch-anal anastomosis for steroid-refractory disease.
Observation:
- The patient presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and oliguria 10 days post-closure.
- Investigations included physical examination, CT scan, laboratory tests, pouch endoscopy, and C. difficile toxin testing.
Findings:
- Diagnosis of fulminant Clostridium difficile-associated pouchitis and enteritis.
- Complications included Pseudomonas aeruginosa septicemia, intravascular coagulopathy, acute renal failure, hemorrhagic ascites, and respiratory failure.
- The patient ultimately died from these complications.
Implications:
- Highlights the risk of severe C. difficile infection post-proctocolectomy and ileostomy closure.
- Underscores the importance of prompt diagnosis and aggressive management of pouchitis and enteritis.
- Emphasizes the potential for rapid deterioration and multi-organ failure in severe cases.
Related Concept Videos
Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Appendicitis
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...

