title: Massive secretory diarrhea and pseudo-obstruction as the initial presentation of Crohn's disease.
abstract: We report large-volume secretory diarrhea and intestinal pseudo-obstruction in a man whom ultimately proved to have Crohn's disease that responded to sulfasalazine and steroids with resolution of all his symptoms. Although this is an unusual presentation, Crohn's disease should be included in the differential diagnosis in patients whose initial symptoms are intestinal pseudo-obstruction and secretory diarrhea.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego 92093-0688, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Carethers
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: McDonnell
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Owyang
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Scheiman
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007418:Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D008795:Metronidazole; D012460:Sulfasalazine; D011241:Prednisone