Acute ischaemic enteritis is an uncommon condition which mainly affects young people. It is characterized by ischaemic changes in the small or large bowel which may be reversible in the early stages. The exact aetiology is not known. The condition may be due to toxins produced by either roundworms or Gram-negative bacilli or may be due to a localized allergic reaction. It is possible to make a preoperative diagnosis in most cases from the presence of abdominal pain, bloody diarrhoea and shock. Conservative treatment may be best in early cases but surgery is necessary in those cases where gangrene or perforation has occurred.