Ileo-caecal ulceration associated with the use of diclofenac slow release

A 38-year-old man with seropositive arthropathy on long-standing treatment with diclofenac slow release presented with abdominal pain, diarrhoea and anaemia. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and barium series were unremarkable. Five months later he presented with a right iliac fossa mass. Investigations revealed discrete ulceration in the terminal ileum and caecum confirmed at laparotomy. Other possible causes of intestinal ulceration were excluded suggesting a diagnosis of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug associated intestinal ulceration.