'The fat-encrusted colon'. A radiological abnormality of colonic mucosa occurring in patients with steatorrhoea.

The clinical and radiological features of six cases of fat-encrusted colon are described. In patients with steatorrhoea, despite standard colonic preparation, fat may adhere to colonic mucosa and produce a radiological appearance that simulates the changes of inflammatory bowel disease. Steatorrhoea was due to coeliac disease in five patients, the sixth being a case of primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Endoscopic and radiological assessment of recurrent ulceration after peptic ulcer surgery.

One hundred and eighteen patients with dyspepsia after peptic ulcer surgery were assessed by a double contrast barium meal and fibre-optic endoscopy, for the possibility of recurrent ulceration. There was overall endoscopic-radiological agreement in 89%. It is concluded that the two techniques are complementary and that a double contrast barium meal performed and interpreted by an experienced radiologist can demonstrate the presence or absence of a recurrent peptic ulcer with an acceptable degree of accuracy.

Patient-orientated gastroenterology.

Analysis of the first year's working of a combined gastroenterology clinic in a district hospital has shown that the major benefit was improved patient management. Hospital attendances were reduced, the diagnostic process accelerated, and unnecessary radiological investigations and surgical operations avoided. There were no obvious major disadvantages.