Close temporal association of bronchial asthma and ischemic colitis-case report and review of the literature

We report a case of ischemic colitis in an elderly male who had initially presented with acute asthma exacerbation. The clinical course of hospitalization, surgical and pathological findings were described. We review three previously reported cases of ischemic colitis and bronchial asthma and explore possible mechanisms to explain this association. The complex interaction of smooth muscle tone and autonomic nervous system in the etiopathogenesis of bronchial asthma and ischemic colitis is discussed. Further studies should be undertaken to clarify this association.