The Ewha Medical Journal  2015;38(1):54-58

doi:10.12771/emj.2015.38.1.54

Pseudomembranous Colitis: A Complicated Case with Transient Increase of Carcinoembryonic Antigen.

Dong In NAM 1 ; Chung KANG ; Il Hyung JUNG ; Hyun Gee MOON ; Bo Ram YOUN ; Nam Hun LEE

Affiliations

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Keywords

Pseudomembranous colitis; Ascites; Pleural effusion; Carcinoembryonic antigen

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

Pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients. Although diarrhea is the most common manifestation, PMC may be associated with intraperitoneal fluid accumulation in the severe cases. And a few cases showing both ascites and pleural effusion have been reported in patients with PMC. We report a case of PMC who showed elevated serum and ascites levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) with a normal CEA level in pleural effusion and who successfully recovered after oral administration of metronidazole. After treatment, the serum CEA level returned to the reference range.