Endoscopic and clinical features of ischemic colitis

Objective To evaluate clinical and endoscopic characteristics of ischemic colitis (IC), and to explore the methods for the early diagnosis of IC. Methods Thirty six patients diagnosed as IC in Hua dong Hospital from June 1975 to December 2000 were reviewed. All patients underwent colonoscopy with biopsy within 5 days of symptoms, and repeated the exam in 2 weeks to 2 months. Results Of the 36 cases (12 men and 24 women, average age 60.5 years old, range 35 84), 31 were over 50 years of age. IC usually presented with sudden onset of left lower quadrant abdominal pain, diarrhea and hematochezia. Patients' ischemic lesions were most often on the left colon. It consisted transient or reversible colitis in 30 cases, stricture colitis in 5 cases and gangrene colitis in only 1 case. Morphologic changes varied with the duration and severity of the injury. Conclusion Colonoscopy with biopsy is the main method for the diagnosis of IC. It should be performed in the early stage of the onset of symptoms.