[Pseudo-obstruction and colonic ischemia].

We report the case of a 78 year old male schizophrenic with pseudo-obstruction of the colon complicated by patent-vessel ischaemia that was diagnosed after sub-total colectomy. Surgery was motivated by the chance discovery of a pneumo-peritoneum without peritonitis and without any evidence of perforation in the gastro-intestinal tract. We believe that early surgery is required in patients with pseudo-obstruction of the colon, to prevent complications such as ischaemia of the distended bowel wall which, though rare, is also well recognised.

[Diffuse digestive ganglioneuromatosis].

Discovery of intestinal ganglioneuromatosis implies the presence of the MEN IIb syndrome or, more rarely, von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis. The two conditions are due to dysfunction of the neural crest. This very rare intestinal pathology is illustrated by two observations.