Brown Bowel Syndrome

Case Studies1 May 1963Brown Bowel SyndromeA. H. TOFFLER, M.D., P. B. HUKILL, M.D., H. M. SPIRO, M.D., F.A.C.P.A. H. TOFFLER, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, P. B. HUKILL, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, H. M. SPIRO, M.D., F.A.C.P.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-58-5-872 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptExtensive brown pigmentation of the muscular layer of the small bowel is uncommon, although such discoloration of the gastrointestinal tract has been recorded in isolated case reports for the past 20 years (1-12). We recently studied a patient with extensive brown pigmentation of the small intestine. The picture he presented was not recognized by us or by our colleagues in this or several other cities, and most often was considered a form of melanosis coli. Our report proposes to review the clinical and pathologic pattern of this "brown bowel" syndrome.CASE REPORTA 50-year-old man entered the Grace-New Haven Community...References1. PAPPENHEIMERVICTOR AMJ: "Ceroid" pigment in human tissues. Amer. J. Path. 22: 395, 1946. Google Scholar2. ADLERSBERGSCHEIN DJ: Clinical and pathological studies in sprue. JAMA 134: 1459, 1947. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. PAULLEY JW: Observations on the aetiology of idiopathic steatorrhea. Brit. Med. J. 2: 1318, 1954. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. HIMESADLERSBERG HWD: Malabsorption Syndrome, Grune & Stratton, Inc., New York, 1957, pp. 77, 90. Google Scholar5. ANSANELLILANE VN: Lipochrome ("ceroid") pigmentation of the small intestine. Ann. Surg. 146: 117, 1957. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. GRESHAMCRUICKSHANKVALENTINE GAJGJC: Pigmentation of intestinal muscle in steatorrhea. Nature (London) 181: 538, 1958. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. 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CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: A. H. TOFFLER, M.D.; P. B. HUKILL, M.D.; H. M. SPIRO, M.D., F.A.C.P.Affiliations: New Haven, ConnecticutFrom the Departments of Medicine and Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.This study was supported by United States Public Health Service grants C-2578, A-5100, A-3473, and A-1785.Requests for reprints should be addressed to Howard M. Spiro, M.D., Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, Connecticut. 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