MALIGNANT ASCITES

Carcinoma of the stomach and other intra-abdominal tumours, including carcinoma of the colon and ovary, may be associated with the exudation of fluid in to the peritoneal cavity.

ACUTE GASTRITIS

This is most commonly caused by the ingestion of aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and probably alcohol. It is also caused by the regurgitation of bile into the stomach, especially after gastric surgery.

ISCHAEMIC COLITIS

Occlusion of the inferior mesenteric artery leads to ischaemia of the left colon particularly when blood flow in the superior mesentric artery is also reduced.

ACUTE INTESTINAL FAILURE

This term describes the consequences of acute obstruction of the superior mesentric artery.

MECKEL'S DIVERTICULUM

This remnant of the vitelline duct which occurs in about 2% of teh population is found on the anti mesentric border of the ileum about 50 cm from the ileocaecal valve. It may contain gastric mucosa which may secrete acid to cause mucosal ulceration and bleeding. It may cause obstruction or inflammation and so present as an acute appendicitis.

TRAVELLER'S DIARRHOEA

An attack of diarrhoea lasting 2-5 days affects the traveller, particularly when visiting developing countries. The onset is usually abrupt and the stool is watery.

INTESTINAL LYMPHANGIECTASIA

A congenital malunion of the lymphatics causes impaired drainage of the intestinal lymphatics, and the lymph, which contains protein and fat, is discharged in to the lumen of the intestine

PROTEIN-LOSING ENTEROPATHY

This term is used when there is excessive loss of protein in to the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract, the loss being sufficient to cause hypoproteinaemia. Protein-losing enteropathy occurs in many gastrointestinal disorders but is most common in those which ulceration of the intestine.
Disease producing protein-losing enteropathy

WHIPPLE'S DISEASE

This is rare disease is important because it is curable. There is characteristically infiltration of the intestinal mucosa and other organs with macrophages which stain positively with periodic acid-schiff (PAS) stain.