Hi Peadar,
Apologies if you already thought of this, and not wishing to propagate
any racial stereotypes, but is he an enthusiast of Ireland's most famous
harp-emblazoned export?
Regards,
Iain
Dr I Woodrow,
Clinical Scientist,
Department of Clinical Biochemistry
Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust
-----Original Message-----
From: Clinical biochemistry discussion list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Peadar McGing
Sent: 22 December 2010 17:30
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: cause of black stool (+FOB test)
Dear colleagues,
I'm looking for help with possible causes of black stool in an 87
year-old
asymptomatic man who presented to his GP 2 days ago, one week after
having
been discharged from convalescence in a nursing home post discharge from
hospital (he had a chest infection originally). It seems he had a 'very
black' stool for the previous week.
He was referred by the GP to a local hospital yesterday for
investigation of
probable malaena. FOB was negative and other causes of black stool (from
the
lists I have) seem to be ruled out by the history (e.g. not on any known
iron supplements, not eating liquorice, not treated with charcoal, not
on
antacids).
He was on aspirin but the GP stopped this two days ago. Since being
admitted
he has not passed any faeces so one cannot judge if the aspirin was
contributing.
I wonder about the potential for false negative FOB in this case. I
would
have thought that given how black the faeces was reported to be that if
it
was malaena then it should be easily detected. I'd appreciate the
expertise
of colleagues dealing with this test on a regular basis. Also if anyone
has
come across other non-malaena causes of black stool I'd appreciate
hearing
about them).
Thanks in anticipation, and Happy Christmas to all.
best wishes.
Peadar
Dr Peadar McGing, FRCPath EurClinChem,
Principal Biochemist,
Biochemistry Dept., Mater Misericordiae University Hospital,
Eccles Street, Dublin 7, Ireland.
Tel: (+353 1)8032374; Fax: (+353 1)8034781.
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Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and they are responsible for all message content.
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