Risk factors in toxic megacolon.

A retrospective analysis of data from a series of 22 patients with toxic megacolon complicating ulcerative colitis was performed in an attempt to detect factors associated with the fatal outcome of the attack. Of the 25 clinical findings studied, significant differences between survivors (17) and nonsurvivors (5) were observed in only seven. In nonsurvivors, duration of the disease was longer and blood pH and standard bicarbonate levels higher, whereas serum potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and beta-globulins were lower.

Intestinal gas in ulcerative colitis.

Intestinal gas was measured planimetrically on plain abdominal films from 25 healthy subjects and 47 patients with active ulcerative colitis (mild, moderate, severe and toxic megacolon). Compared with controls, significant colonic distention was found in toxic megacolon. Gas in the small bowel was significantly increased in toxic megacolon and in severe colitis but was within the normal range in the mild and moderate forms.

Salt-losing diarrhoea in idiopathic proctocolitis.

The faecal output of chloride, sodium and potassium was studied in 14 patients with active idiopathic proctocolitis, in an attempt to establish a relationship between faecal electrolyte output and acid-base balance data. 7 patients with ileostomy and 8 healthy volunteers were used as controls. The daily faecal excretion of chloride and sodium in proctocolitis was significantly in excess of normal, whereas that of potassium was within the normal range.