Clinicopathologic study of nonspecific ulcers of the small intestine

Fifty-nine cases (31 men and 28 women) of nonspecific small bowel ulceration, representing the Mayo Clinic experience from 1956 to 1979, are reviewed. The average age was 51 years. Presenting symptoms or signs were those of intermittent small bowel obstruction (63%), blood loss (25%), and acute abdomen (12%). Whereas 78% of the ulcers were located in the ileum, 15% in the jejunum, and 7% in the jejunoileum, perforation was by far more common in the jejunum (78%) as compared with the ileum (11%). Diagnosis was rarely made preoperatively, although abnormalities were noted roentgenographically in 66%. Treatment was surgical and was usually curative. Operative mortality was 8.5%. No single cause was implicated.