Colonic manifestations of collagen vascular diseases.

Upper gastrointestinal manifestations of collagen vascular diseases have been well described. Recently our attention has been focused on the colonic complications: fibrosis and stricture resulting in obstruction, severe obstipation and recurrent fecal impactions secondary to pseudo-obstruction, progressive colonic dilatation resulting in gangrene of the colon, and sigmoid volvulus and diverticulitis in the presence of both wide- and narrow-mouth pseudodiverticula. Patients with these colonic manifestations of collagen vascular disease are disabled, if not severely ill. Recognition of the problem enables the surgeon to plan definitive surgical intervention ranging from segmental resection to total colectomy and ileoproctostomy to restore satisfactory large bowel function.