Ischaemic strictures of the small intestine in Nigeria.

Eleven specimens of small intestinal strictures were seen at the Pathology Department of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria, during a period of two and a half years. Eight of them were ischaemic in origin and the clinical and pathological features of these eight cases are described. In five of the cases, the ischaemia could be related to inguinal hernia, with herniorrhaphy a few weeks before surgery for stricture in four cases. The most important factor in making a clinical or pathological diagnosis of ischaemic stricture of the small intestine appears to be awareness of the condition. The importance is emphasised of studying the mesentery, with particular attention to lymph nodes and blood vessels, before making a final diagnosis on intestinal lesions.