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Dermatological manifestations of chronic infammatory bowel disease are numerous. We report herein 2 cases that demonstrated the uncommon association of cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa with regional enterocolitis. The clinical and histopathological features of this skin disease are important. Particular emphasis is placed on its relative benignity, in contrast to the serious prognosis associated with systemic polyarteritis nodosa.

Four patients with pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis were recently treated with oxygen via a close-fitting mask. They responded initially to this therapy, with cessation of all symptoms and, after seven days of treatment, with return of proctoscopic and barium-contrast roentgenographic findings in the colon to normal. However, the disease recurred in one of the four patients after six months. There is a potential hazard of toxic effects from oxygen, and this may be detected by frequent measurement of pulmonary vital capacity. Our experience corroborates the efficacy of oxygen therapy in the treatment of this disorder but we question its long-term effectiveness in all cases.