Ulcerative disease of the colon proximal to partially obstructive lesions

Carcinoma complicating idiopathic ulcerative colitis is well known. Conversely, acute colitis complicating obstructing carcinomas and other partially obstructing lesions of the colon has not been recognized until recently. The present study reports two cases of colitis secondary to obstruction: 1) a giant ulcer with colitis proximal to partially obstruction diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon, and 2) colitis proximal to obstructing carcinoma of the sigmoid colon. The purpose of this report is to document these cases and review the literature on this variety of colitis to facilitate its recognition and subsequent correct treatment. An unawareness of this entity prejudices the anastomosis and results in anastomotic complications (approximately 25 per cent), with significant morbidity and mortality.