Etymed
enterocolitis
Definition
inflammation of the small intestine and colon
Clinical context
A 28-year-old woman presents with 3 days of abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fever. She reports bloody stools and cramping abdominal pain. Physical examination reveals tenderness in the lower abdomen. Stool cultures are pending. The patient's symptoms suggest inflammation involving both the small intestine and colon. The most likely diagnosis is enterocolitis.
Mnemonic
EAT - Enterocolitis = E (Eating) = E (Enteric) = E (Eating) = Eat it up!