Rectal sparing in antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis: a prospective study.
A prospective study of 22 patients with antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis demonstrated that the most distal location of the pseudomembranes was noted from 0 to 25 cm from the anus in 17 patients, from 25 to 60 cm from the anus in 3 patients, and greater than 60 cm from the anus in only 2 patients. These data suggest that the pseudomembranes will be noted by the rigid sigmoidoscope in 77% of the patients and by the flexible sigmoidoscope in 91% of the patients. Colonoscopic examination beyond 60 cm from the anus was necessary for the diagnosis of pseudomembranous colitis in 2 (9%) patients.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D003106:Colon / Q000473:pathology; D003113:Colonoscopy; D004761:Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012007:Rectum / Q000473:pathology*; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents