Clinical and endoscopic features of ischemic colitis

[Objective] To study the clinical manifestation and endoscopic features of ischemic colitis (IC). [Methods] Forty -three patients diagnosed in our hospital with IC over a 8-year period (2000~2007) were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical and endoscopic data were studied. [Results] Of the 43 cases, 38 cases (88.1%) were over 50 years. 93% of the cases were associated with the basic diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cerebral infarction and constipation. IC usually presented with sudden onset of left lower quadrant abdominal pain, hematochezia and diarrhea. The most common locations were on the left colon. Its main endoscopic appearance was the affected bowel showed mucosal congestion, edema, erosion, ulceration, hyperplasia, demarcated with normal areas. [Conclusion] Ischemic colitis should be suspected in elderly patients with acute abdominal pain and hematochezia, early colonoscopy plays an important role in diagnosis, early treatment and prognosis.