| Theme | Bloody stools in non -- IBD intestinal disorders | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Bleeding from colonic diverticula | |
| Publish Date | 2010/01 | |
| Author | Norihiro Hanabata | Department of Gastroenterology and Hematology, Hirosaki University, Graduate School of Medicine |
| Author | Takasato Igarashi | Department of Gastroenterology and Hematology, Hirosaki University, Graduate School of Medicine |
| Author | Yasumitsu Araki | Department of Gastroenterology and Hematology, Hirosaki University, Graduate School of Medicine |
| Author | Tetsuro Yoshimura | Department of Gastroenterology and Hematology, Hirosaki University, Graduate School of Medicine |
| Author | Shinsaku Fukuda | Department of Gastroenterology and Hematology, Hirosaki University, Graduate School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] | Bleeding from colonic diverticula is a major condition associated with lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in elderly patients. The primary symptom related to this bleeding is lack of abdominal pain. Colonoscopy is usually performed initially and is useful when patients have hematochezia. Recently, helical computer tomography (CT) has been shown to be useful for the diagnosis of acute lower gastrointestinal tract bleeding. The colonic diverticula have no muscle layer. This means complications such as perforations can easily occur. In this disease, the use of heat coagulation or pure ethanol injections for hemostasis are contraindicated, because extreme tissue damage will result. Clipping should be performed in these cases, because it is the most safe and useful procedure. However, if this approach cannot be done or is unsuccessful, other therapeutic methods must be employed, such as interventional radiology or surgery. |
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