Related Experiment Videos
Necrotic colitis in the presence of normal vascularization of the colon
Insights
Fulminant necrotic colitis, a severe form of ischemic colitis, can occur without mesenteric vessel obstruction, often in patients with heart disease. This case highlights its occurrence in hemorrhagic shock, potentially involving Gram-positive rods.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Vascular Surgery
- Pathology
Background:
- Necrotic colitis, a severe ischemic colitis, typically lacks organic mesenteric obstruction.
- It is often associated with pre-existing cardiopathy and rarely occurs due to hypotension, hypovolemia, or sepsis.
Observation:
- A rare case of total colonic gangrene is presented in a patient experiencing hemorrhagic shock.
- This observation challenges typical etiologies of non-occlusive intestinal infarction.
Findings:
- The study postulates that fulminant colonic gangrene may be co-induced by Gram-positive rods.
- These bacteria are detectable even in the deeper layers of the colonic wall.
Implications:
- This finding suggests a potential infectious component in non-occlusive ischemic colitis.
- Understanding this etiology is crucial for managing high-mortality cases of necrotic colitis.
Abstract:
Necrotic colitis in the absence of organic obstruction of the mesenteric vessels is an extreme and fulminant form of ischemic colitis. This calamity with its high mortality rate usually occurs in patients with pre-existent cardiopathy. It is rare for necrotic colitis to occur as a complication of hypotension, hypovolemia or sepsis. A report is presented of a case of total gangrene of the colon in a patient with hemorrhagic shock. Certain concepts are presented concerning the etiology of non-occlusive intestinal infarction. It is postulated that the fulminant gangrene of the colon is co-induced by Gram-positive rods which are demonstrable even in the deep layers of the colonic wall.