THE USE of corticotropin (ACTH) for patients with severe ulcerative colitis usually is accompanied by striking subjective improvement. Objective evidence of healing, however, has not been noted as frequently, and adverse effects including activation of peptic ulcers and perforation of the colon have been reported.1
This report is based upon observations made on 14 patients having severe or fulminating ulcerative colitis who were treated with intravenous corticotropin at Duke Hospital and on one other patient who was treated elsewhere. Five of these patients subsequently were operated upon, four having a colectomy and the fifth an ileostomy only. Large atypical undermined ulcers were present throughout the colon and rectum in the four patients in whom colectomy was done.
CLINICAL MATERIAL AND METHODS
The clinical data on the 15 patients who received corticoid therapy are shown in the Table. The clinical course of the disease prior to treatment was classified as