Patient History: A 68-year-old man is an inpatient on the stroke unit. He recently commenced a second course of intravenous antibiotics for aspiration pneumonia. He initially improved clinically, and the consolidation on his chest X-rays was clearing up. Then he spiked a temperature and complained of abdominal pain. His nurse reports that he has opened his bowels eight times in a short period, passing large volumes of greenish, liquid stool each time. Examination: The patient’s abdomen is generally tender throughout and bowel sounds are hyperactive.
The abdomen appears distended. He is febrile (38.0°C), tachycardia (110/min) and hypotensive (88/44 mmHg). Radiologic Findings: An abdominal X-ray was performed and revealed prominent, dilated loops of large bowel with evidence of mucosal edema seen as thickened haustral folds. What are the diagnosis and next best step in the management? *…
