Clinical and endoscopic features of ischemic colitis of elderly

Objective To study the clinical and endoscopic features of ischemic colitis(IC).Methods Eighteen patients in our hospital with IC over 3 year period(2006-2009) were retrospectively analyzed.The clinical and endoscopic data were studied.Results Of the 17 cases,16 cases(94.1%) were over 50 years,83.3% of the cases were associated with the basic diseases such as cerebral and cardiovascular disease,constipation,and history of abdominal surgery.IC usually presented with sudden onset of left lower abdominal pain,hematochezia and diarrhea.The most common locations were on the left colon.Its main endoscopic appearance was the affected bowel mucosal congestion,edema,ulceration,hyperplasia,demareated with normal areas.Conclusion Ischemic colitis should be suspected in elderly patients with acute abdominal pain and hematochezia,early diagnosis and treatment play a critical role in prognosis.