We report several cases of hydrogen peroxide-related colitis that occurred in an epidemic
pattern in our gastrointestinal endoscopy center during a 2-month period in early
2007. During colonscopy using sterilized endoscopes that had been flushed with hydrogen
peroxide after the peracetic acid cycle, instantaneous effervescence and blanching
(the ”snow white sign“) were observed on the intestinal mucosa when the water button
was depressed. Biopsy specimens revealed features resembling a clinical condition
which used to be known as ”pseudolipomatosis.“ At follow-up, no patient was found
to have suffered morbidity associated with this peroxide colitis. Endoscopists should
consider hydrogen peroxide colitis when they see a snow white sign during colonoscopy
which cannot be attributed to active inflammation or organic disease of the digestive
tract.
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G. Cammarota, MD
Istituto di Medicina Interna
Policlinico Universitario ”A. Gemelli”
Largo A. Gemelli 8
Rome 00168
Italy
Fax: +39-06-35502775
eMail: gcammarota@rm.unicatt.it