Liver disease, phlegmonous colitis, and gram-negative sepsis.

Phlegmonous colitis, regarded as a terminal event in serious liver disease and hepatic coma, can also occur in reversible liver disease and can be the source of gram-negative sepsis. This paper presented such a case. Improved management of serious liver disease and hepatic coma should include consideration of colonic inflammation as another site of infection that must be treated to avoid complications of sepsis or peritonitis. Abdominal pain and loose or diarrheal stools should arouse a suspicion of the presence of phlegmonous colitis, and should be an indication for treating it and preventing sepsis.