[Massive rectal blood loss after colonoscopy]. / Massaal rectaal bloedverlies na colonoscopie.

A 70-year-old man presented with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding. A colonoscopy performed one and a half months prior had revealed diverticulosis in the sigmoid colon; a small polyp located 10 cm from the anal margin had been removed at that time. The presenting patient was haemodynamically unstable and there was a significant amount of rectal blood loss. Gastroscopy revealed no abnormalities. During angiography, the patient died as a result of haemorrhagic shock. The post-mortem examination revealed a rectal perforation, which had most likely resulted from the polypectomy, and a secondary haematoma located between the common iliac artery and the rectum. The source of the gastrointestinal bleeding was the rupture of the haematoma directly into the rectal perforation. Colonoscopy is a relatively safe procedure; however, this case illustrates that potentially lethal complications from colonoscopy can be expressed, even after a few months.

[Jaundice and a pancreatic tumour caused by auto-immune pancreatitis]. / Auto-immune pancreatitis als oorzaak van geelzucht en een tumor in het pancreas.

Three male patients aged between 50 and 70 years were referred with jaundice and weight loss. Imaging showed a pancreatic mass and changes in the calibre of the choledochal or pancreatic duct, suggestive of malignancy. Two patients were operated on. One patient was considered to have an unresectable carcinoma but showed remarkable clinical improvement after steroids were given for his poor condition. In the other patient a resection was performed. Histology showed IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration without signs of malignancy. Eventually these patients were diagnosed with auto-immune pancreatitis (AIP). In the third patient AIP was considered beforehand and this patient was treated with steroids. He responded quickly both clinically and radiologically. CT imaging showed complete remission of the mass. AIP is a benign inflammatory process which can mimic pancreatic carcinoma. In doubtful cases, a short trial of steroids might be considered.

Effects of regular physical activity on defecation pattern in middle-aged patients complaining of chronic constipation.

OBJECTIVE: It is not well known whether physical activity (PA) is useful in the management of patients complaining of constipation. The aim of this study was to test the influence of regular PA on colonic transit time and defecation in middle-aged inactive patients suffering from chronic idiopathic constipation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-three subjects (> 45 years) were randomly divided into group A (n = 18, 16 F, 2 M) and group B (n = 25, 20 F, 5 M). Group A subjects maintained their normal lifestyle during 12 weeks, followed by a 12-week PA programme. Group B performed a 12-week PA programme after randomization. PA comprised 30 min of brisk walking and a daily 11-min home-based programme. Both groups received dietary advice. Colonic transit time was measured using a radiographic multiple marker single film technique. RESULTS: Despite dietary advice, mean fibre and fluid intake did not change. In group B a significant reduction in 3 out of 4 of the Rome I criteria for constipation was observed, i.e. percentage of incomplete defecations, percentage of defecations requiring straining and percentage of hard stools (p < 0.05). As a consequence, the number of fulfilled Rome criteria for constipation decreased (2.7 to 1.7; p < 0.05). Furthermore, the rectosigmoid and total colonic transit time decreased (17.5 to 9.6 h and 79.2 to 58.4 h, respectively; p < 0.05). After PA the number of fulfilled Rome criteria also decreased in group A (2.6 to 1.7; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In middle-aged inactive subjects with symptoms of chronic constipation, it is advisable to promote regular physical activity since it improves both the defecation pattern and rectosigmoid or total colonic transit time.