NONSTEROIDAL-INDUCED BENIGN STRICTURES OF THE COLON - A CASE-REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Colonic strictures are a rare complication reported to result from chr onic use of sustained release formulations of indomethacin and diclofe nac. Such strictures often present with associated mucosal: ulceration and are thought to result fram nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug-ind uced alterations in enterocyte homeostasis. Strictures generally occur in the cecum, ascending, and proximal transverse colon with symptoms of occult blood loss, obstruction changes in bowel habits, and rarely, perforation, The first reported case of a 69-year-old woman who devel oped recurrent colonic strictures with inflammatory changes and mucosa l ulceration while taking Lodine (etodolac) is presented. A brief revi ew of the relevant literature and suggested preventative therapies are discussed, (C) 1998 by Am. Coll. of Gastroenterology.