Acute Abdomen and <i>Clostridium difficile</i> Colitis: Still a Lethal Combination

Abstract

We conclude that C. difficile colitis presenting as an 'acute abdomen' still represents a lethal entity. Patients who present with an 'acute abdomen', with a history of recent or current antibiotic intake, and without findings which mandate an exploration should have C. difficile colitis urgently excluded. Timely diagnosis of C. difficile colitis through bedside sigmoidoscopy or a CT scan could spare the critically ill patient an unneccessary and risky operation. Furthermore, if laparotomy is subsequently needed then having a preoperative diagnosis of C. difficile colitis will allow appropriate surgical therapy to be implemented.