Development of colonic stenosis following severe acute pancreatitis.
BACKGROUND
Colonic necrosis after acute pancreatitis is rare. When it does occur, it is commonly due to ischaemia or inflammation and may necessitate early colonic resection.


METHODS
A 72-year-old man developed colonic necrosis 6 weeks after severe acute pancreatitis. CT scan revealed a bulky mass near the left colon. Barium enema and colonoscopy revealed stenosis of the left colonic flexure, and this segment of bowel was successfully resected.


CONCLUSIONS
Severe acute pancreatitis must be recognised as a cause of colonic ischaemia and necrosis. The possible pathogenic mechanisms include severe local inflammation and an ischaemic process. This complication is associated with a very poor prognosis despite surgical intervention, but a timely resection may prevent further problems.
Maisonnette
F
F
Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Dupuytren Hospital, Limoges, France. franck.maisonnette@chu-limoges.fr
Abita
T
T
Pichon
N
N
Lachachi
F
F
Cessot
F
F
Valleix
D
D
Durand-Fontanier
S
S
Descottes
B
B