[Nonocclusive intestinal infarct and necrotizing enterocolitis in the adult]

A case of full-thickness necrosis of the small bowel, and colon, which required partial resection of the jejunum and total resection of the ileum and colon is reported. The case gives the chance for a review of the Literature on intestinal necrosis not caused by vascular occlusion. Nonocclusive intestinal ischemia, acute neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis and adult necrotizing enterocolitis including the Pig-bel disease, common in Papua-New Guinea, are examined. Resemblances and differences in etiology, pathophysiology and clinical findings are discussed. The hypothesis that the process of "bacterial translocation" plays a central role in the pathogenesis of bowel infarction, representing therefore a possible link between infective and vascular mechanisms, is emphasized. Important suggestions on massive intestinal necrosis management are also reported.