Three cases of gangrenous ischaemic colitis

The concept of ischaemic colitis is relatively recent. It is more common in the elderly than is realised, and results from reduction or occlusion of the blood supply to the colon. Three cases of ischaemic colitis in its gangrenous form are reported. The patients died despite all therapeutic measures. Necropsy revealed full thickness gangrene of the involved segment of the colon.