[Colonic complications of pancreatitis. A report on 39 cases (author's transl)].

Colonic complications of pancreatitis are not infrequent occurrences, as illustrated by the fact that the authors have personally treated 39 such cases. Lesions are found in the colon at sites which correspond perfectly to diffusion of pancreatic necrotic lesions along mesenteric pathways as described by Meyers. They occur mainly in the left colic flexure (17 cases) and transverse colon (10 cases) but may affect the ascending (6 cases) and descending (4 cases) colon by diffusion of the pancreatitis into the anterior extrarenal space. These topographical characteristics, associated with the extrinsic and inflammatory nature of the lesions, produce a very specific and typical radiological syndrome which should assist diagnosis.