The "brown bowel syndrome": a case report.

Brownish discoloration of the muscular layers of the small intestine has been described in association with deficiency of fat soluble vitamin E occurring in various disorders with malabsorption. A patient presenting with diarrhea ultimately found to have "brown bowel syndrome" is reported with serum levels of vitamin E before and during treatment. A brief review of the nature and significance of ceroid pigmentation of the intestine is included; however, the pathophysiology of the brown bowel syndrome remains to be fully elucidated.