Diaphragm disease of the ileum.

Diaphragm disease is a condition wherein the bowel lumen is divided into a series of short compartments by circular membranes of mucosa and submucosa, leading to a pinhole lumen and subsequent obstruction. It is a very rare condition commonly attributed to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) usage. We present two cases of obstruction secondary to diaphragm disease of the ileum diagnosed on histology of the resected specimen. One patient had no history of chronic NSAID intake.

Recurrent sigmoid volvulus in young people: a missed diagnosis.

In nine young patients with recurrent attacks of sigmoid volvulus there was a long delay before a correct diagnosis was made, yet volvulus was indicated in most of them by a well-taken history. All were treated successfully by excision of the redundant colon. This condition is not as uncommon in young people as was thought.

Estimation of carcinoembryonic antigen in ulcerative colitis with special reference to malignant change.

The levels of plasma carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were estimated in 59 control subjects attending St Mark's Hospital and in 139 patients with uncomplicated ulcerative colitis. There was little difference in the CEA levels in the two groups. In the colitic patients, the actual CEA values could not be correlated with the age of the patient, the activity of the disease, the extent of bowel involvement, or the length of history. In addition, seven colitic patients with severe dysplastic changes in the rectal mucosa and seven patients with established carcinoma in colitis were studied. With one exception in each group, the CEA levels in these patients were within the range shown by the St Mark's Hospital control population.