|
The different forms of colitis depicted
in this chapter
partly carry fairly similar features. This is explained by
the limited possibilities of the colonic mucosa to
react to an acute or chronic stimulus.
Thus the clinical symptoms in addition to the endoscopic
picture gain extra-
ordinary importance. Consequently we tried to list the
Differential diagnosis of colitis
in short tables.
|
| Infectious colitis - staphylococcal enteritis |
 |
 |
|
Carcinoma of the rectum treated by rectum amputation and
artificial anus.
Previous chemotherapy promoted the infection. Hallmark of
the clinical
picture is bloody diarrhea,
high
temperature and a worsened general condition.
To the
left extensive mucosal
necrosis and hemorrhage in the descending colon
seen in infectious staphyllococcal colitis. The pathological
changes extend to the
left
flexure only, initially raising suspicion of an ischemic
colitis. Histology and
microbiology of stool specimen exclude the latter and
corroborate the former
diagnosis.
To the
right second look after 2
weeks of antibiotic treatment. The mucosa
is recovering and shows a healing necrosis with erythematous
edges and
rarified vessels.
|
| Infectious colitis of unkown pathogen |
 |
The mucous membrane exhibits an edema,
hemorrhagic lesions and rarefied vessels.
The changes extend from the rectum to the
the aboral third of the transverse colon.
The clinical picture is dominated by diarrhea,
history includes a recent infection.
Histology reveals an infectious colitis.
Microbiology fails to isolate a definite
pathogen.
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