[An other case of Ogilvie's syndrome (author's transl)]

The authors relate a case of acute functional obstruction, appearing after treatment of a cancer of rectum with extension to prevertebral plexus. The cause of the colic trouble appears to be neurological and due to a sympathetic and parasympathetic transmission block, while intrincic plexus was normal. Inefficacy of the contractions was established by radiology and endoscopy (electrical and pharmacodynamic stimulation and measure of pressure); it predominated in the left transverse colon. Caecal perforation has been avoided up till now after two years, without modification of clinical course, the patient evacuated his colon with the help of enemas. It seems probable that this case can be classified as Ogilvie's syndrome, the bibliography of which has been looked up and criticized.