[Clinical aspects and pathology of acute and chronic pseudoobstruction of the colon].

The pseudoobstruction corresponds to the condition of an extreme colonic dilatation with possible wall perforation without concrete evidence of a real block. Acute, reversible and chronic types are distinguished. On two examples, clinic and pathology (through autopsy) are extensively described and discussed with literature. The highest risk in acute pseudoobstruction is a wall perforation with stercoral peritonitis. This is mostly fatal. When diagnosed in time, trials of decompression are indicated. The acute pseudoobstruction is mostly observed in traumatic and septic conditions, but also with extreme alcohol abuse and consuming tumorous diseases. Chronic courses of the diseases are often associated with Parkinsonism. In this form of pseudoobstruction, functional disorders of the smooth musculature appear to be present. Electrolyte disorders are to be regarded as consecutive conditions. The mean age is 61 years. There is a slight predominance of the male sex. The cases presented were combined with chronic-granulomatous necrotizing osteomyelitis and lung carcinomas in the acute form, with Parkinsonism in the chronic form, thus corresponding to literature. Altogether this is a rare disease with a frequency about 1 out of 10000 to 15000 patients admitted to surgical departments.