Beware of hemolytic uremic syndrome presenting as colorectal disease in adults. Report of two cases.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome is seen occasionally by the surgeon in adult patients with colorectal manifestations. Two cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome are presented here, one misdiagnosed clinically as acute appendicitis and the other as acute ulcerative colitis. In each case the diagnosis was only established postoperatively and both patients died of this disease. These cases serve to remind colorectal surgeons that this potentially lethal disease may occur with symptoms and signs suggestive of more common colorectal pathology.
Allan
A
A
Department of Surgery, General Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Keighley
M R
MR
Thompson
H
H
D000328:Adult; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D006463:Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged