A prospective clinico-pathologic comparison between typhoid and non-typhoid ileal perforations /
Rodney B. Dofitas [and two others]
This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on all patients admitted to the Philippine General Hospital with an impression of ileal perforation, from July 1, 1991 to June 31, 1993, in order to (1) determine the prevalence and (2) compare the clinical presentation and pathologic features, of typhoid versus non-typhoid ileal perforation. A total of 58 patients were included - 37 (63.8%) were classified in the typhoid group while 26 (36.2%) were classified in the non-typhoid group. Comparisons between the two groups based on demographic data and clinical presentation revealed nearly identical findings except for (1) significantly younger patients (2) significantly longer duration of illness prior to the onset of perforation and (3) significantly lower mean leukocyte count, in patients belonging o the typhoid group. Pathologic findings suggest that "non-typhoid" ileal perforations may be caused by a variety of conditions like tuberculosis, vascular insufficiency, or other undetermined infectious etiologies.