Acute gangrenous colitis proximal to obstructive cancer of the sigmoid colon.

Two cases of massive gangrenous inflammation of the colon proximal to obstructive carcinomatous lesions, the so-called obstructive colitis, are reported. Because of the rarity of this condition, the etiological factors responsible for this entity are not yet clear. The detailed pathological and microbiological studies at the time of operation are essential to their further clarification.