Reply to Dr. Tominaga et al.

We strongly believe that cat scratch colon is due to barotrauma; however, we have not been able to provide any evidence. We have on several occasions noted the sudden onset of bright red linear marks (”cat scratch”) upon insufflating a Hartmann’s pouch, but this cannot be extrapolated to the colon.

Tominaga et al. present a unique case in which they have captured a picture of the cecum and ascending colon before and after barotrauma resulting in new onset of cat scratch colon. This is compelling evidence that cat scratch colon is due to barotrauma.