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. 2007 May;39(5):459-61.
doi: 10.1055/s-2007-966266.

Cat scratch colon

W M McDonnell  1 , F Loura, M J Pointon, J K Greenson
Affiliations

Cat scratch colon

W M McDonnell et al. Endoscopy. 2007 May.

Abstract

Background: Bright red linear marks in the right colon are occasionally seen but have never been described in the medical literature. We have termed this finding "cat scratch" colon.

Methods: This was a prospective examination of 8277 colonoscopies at a single endoscopy center in a private practice setting. All cases of cat scratch colon were biopsied, and the results read by two pathologists.

Results: A total of 21 cases of cat scratch colon were identified, all in the ascending colon and cecum, with a prevalence of 0.25%. The majority of cases were in women. Although the colon was histologically normal in most cases, there was a significantly higher proportion of collagenous colitis in patients with cat scratch colon compared with the total cohort (14% vs. 0.15%).

Conclusions: The prevalence of bright red linear markings (cat scratch colon) in the cecum and ascending colon is 0.25%. These markings appear to be superficial breaks in the mucosa possibly secondary to barotrauma. Patients tend to be older women with higher proportion of collagenous colitis.

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