Phlegmonous enteritis in alcoholic fatty liver.

Phlegmonous enteritis is a rare inflammatory bowel disease. A 52-yr-old man with a history of alcoholic abuse was admitted to the hospital for an acute abdomen and died of septicemia and its complications. Autopsy revealed phlegmonous inflammation of the ileum and severe fatty liver. Numerous Gram-negative rod bacilli were demonstrated in the ileal mucosa. Shortened villi and decreased lysozyme activity of Paneth cells in the small intestine might be results of chronic alcohol ingestion. The relationship between phlegmonous enteritis and alcoholic abuse was strongly suggested in this case.