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. 2007 Feb;20(1):5-12.
doi: 10.1055/s-2007-970194.

Ischemic colitis

Mark Y Sun  1 , Justin A Maykel
Affiliations

Ischemic colitis

Mark Y Sun et al. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2007 Feb.

Abstract

Ischemic colitis is the most common form of gastrointestinal ischemia. Patients present with either occlusive or nonocclusive vascular disease, although the latter is more common. Many causes of nonocclusive disease have been identified, but the exact pathophysiology remains unclear. Most commonly, patients develop abdominal discomfort and bloody diarrhea. Diagnosis is confirmed with colonoscopy. Treatment is contingent on the severity of disease: mucosal/nongangrenous ischemia requires only supportive measures and medical management, whereas transmural/gangrenous ischemia may require prompt surgical intervention. Ischemic colitis can also become a chronic process with persistent segmental colitis or colonic stricturing. The patient's outcome depends on the severity of disease, prompt recognition, and appropriate treatment.

Keywords: Ischemic colitis; colectomy; colonoscopy; gastrointestinal bleeding; proctosigmoiditis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Vascular supply of the colon. Reproduced with permission from Corman ML. Anatomy of the Colon. In: Corman LL, ed. Colon and Rectal Surgery. 5th edition. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005: 1–29.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Colonoscopy—early colonic ischemia.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Colonoscopy—progressing colonic ischemia.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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