Definition
Ischemic colitis is a pathological one due to the transient reduction of blood flow to the colon (sometimes even of the rectum).
This condition can be caused by thrombosis, embolism or arteriosclerosis of the inferior mesenteric artery which, together with the superior, spills the entire intestine.
Other risk factors for the development of ischemic colitis include heart failure, heart valve disease, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation and a history of previous arterial embolisms.
The disorder can also be favored by inflammatory conditions (eg pancreatitis and diverticulitis), states of hypercoagulability, trauma, heart failure, kidney failure, portal hypertension and decompression sickness.
Ischemic colitis occurs mainly in elderly people (over 60 years of age), where the condition can occur in small atherosclerotic vessels.
Most common symptoms and signs *
- Intestinal Atony
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Pain in a hip
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal pain on palpation
- haematochezia
- Temperature
- Peritonismo
- rettorragia
- Blood from the anno
- Blood in the stool
- Tachycardia
- Rectal tenesmus
Further indications
Ischemic colitis manifests itself with cramped abdominal pains in the lower left quadrant, blood loss from the anus and rectal tenesmus. Other possible symptoms include diarrhea often with visible blood in the stool, mild tachycardia, fever and peritonism. As the ischemia progresses, necrosis may develop, but this is usually limited to the mucosa and submucosa.
The diagnosis is made with colonoscopy and radiographic investigations.
The treatment of ischemic colitis is supportive and involves the administration of intravenous fluids, intestinal rest and antibiotic therapy. Surgery is necessary only in cases where a full thickness necrosis is determined. Furthermore, several weeks after the event, a stenosis may develop occasionally at the site of ischemia, which requires surgical resection of the stretched colon section.
