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Review
. 2021 Nov 14;27(42):7299-7310.
doi: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i42.7299.

Colonoscopy-related colonic ischemia

Sinan Sadalla  1 , Andrea Lisotti  2 , Lorenzo Fuccio  3 , Pietro Fusaroli  4
Affiliations
Review

Colonoscopy-related colonic ischemia

Sinan Sadalla et al. World J Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Colonoscopy is a risk factor for colon ischemia. The colon is susceptible to ischemia due to its minor blood flow compared to other abdominal organs; the etiology of colon ischemia after colonoscopy is multifactorial. The causative mechanisms include splanchnic circulation impairment, bowel preparation, drugs used for sedation, bowel wall ischemia due to insufflation/barotrauma, and introduction of the endoscope. Gastroenterologists must be aware of this condition and its risk factors for risk minimization, early diagnosis, and proper treatment.

Keywords: Bowel preparation; Colon ischemia; Colonoscopy; Endoscopy; Ischemic colitis; Mesenteric circulation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Abdominal computed tomography with intravenous contrast, sagittal scan showing thrombosis of the superior mesenteric artery and the common hepatic artery (arrows).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Splanchnic vascular anatomy, detail of colonic arteries (Case courtesy of Assoc Prof Craig Hacking, Radiopaedia.org, rID: 54523.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Endoscopic signs of ischemia, showing moderate diffuse erythema (A), severe erythema with mucosal edema and erosions (B), multiple ulcerations and inflammatory exudate (C), necrosis (D).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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