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Previous Volume 341:192-193 July 15, 1999 Number 3 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction, also called Ogilvie's syndrome, refers to marked dilation of the colon in the absence of mechanical obstruction. It generally develops in hospitalized patients over a period of days, and up to 95 percent of affected patients have an associated medical or surgical condition,^1,2 such as trauma, recent surgery, or serious infection.

The chief criterion for the diagnosis is the diameter of the colon on abdominal radiographs. However, there is no consensus regarding the minimal diameter required for the diagnosis. Perhaps the most commonly used value is 9 cm, based on a frequently cited study from 1956, in . . . [Full Text of this Article]

References

This article has been cited by other articles:

• (1999). Neostigmine for Acute Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction. JWatch General 1999: 1-1 [Full Text]