NECROTIZING COLITIS

A patient with spontaneous mucosal necrosis of the colon despite apparently normal mesenteric and bowel circulation is described. This condition appeared to represent ischemic infarction of the bowel in the absence of obvious vascular occlusion. The precise etiology is unknown but it apparently follows conditions which predispose to temporary low flow through the mesenteric circulation. Thrombosis of microvessels may be followed by patchy mucosal ischemia and secondary invasion of the bowel wall by virulent intestinal flora. Since the condition is usually segmental it is best treated with wide local excision and delayed reanastomosis if possible. © 1969.