Non-occlusive ischaemic colitis in a South African black. A case report

A rare case of non-occlusive ischaemic colitis in a South African Black is described. The appearance of the bowel at an initial operation, and the histopathological changes demonstrated in the resected specimen after a subsequent operation, provide evidence for this diagnosis. The clinical presentation and radiological features which were also compatible with the diagnosis are presented. While the initiating mechanism remains obscure, it is suggested that ischaemia of the colon wall is likely to have been responsible for the final histopathological picture in this case.