The Circumferential Small-Bowel Ulcer

In 17 additional cases of circumferential small-bowel ulcer, thiazide potassium chloride therapy seems implicated in the causation of the lesion. In patients receiving this therapy symptoms of postprandial crampy abdominal pain, occurring over a period of days, weeks, or months, should suggest the diagnosis. Perforation of such an ulcer should be suspected when such a patient has an acute condition within the abdomen. Careful x-ray studies may confirm the diagnosis preoperatively.