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Lower gastrointestinal bleeding with negative or inconclusive radiographic studies: the role of colonoscopy
American Journal of Surgery
|November 1, 1979
Insights
Colonoscopy aids in diagnosing persistent rectal bleeding when other tests fail. This procedure identified the bleeding source in about half of patients with unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Endoscopy
Background:
- Persistent unexplained bleeding per rectum is a common clinical challenge.
- Radiographic examinations are often inconclusive for identifying the bleeding source.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of colonoscopy in patients with persistent unexplained bleeding per rectum and negative radiographic findings.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of over 1,000 colonoscopy records.
- Inclusion of 55 patients with persistent unexplained bleeding per rectum and negative radiographic examinations.
Main Results:
- Colonoscopy successfully identified the site of bleeding in approximately 50% of the studied patients.
- The procedure provided a diagnosis for half of the cohort with unexplained rectal bleeding.
Conclusions:
- Colonoscopy is a valuable tool for investigating persistent unexplained bleeding per rectum.
- It offers diagnostic yield in cases where initial radiographic evaluations are negative.
Abstract:
The records of more than 1,000 patients who underwent colonoscopy were reviewed. The study group consisted of 55 of these 1,000 patients who had persistent unexplained bleeding per rectum and negative radiographic examinations. Colonoscopy was helpful in defining the site of bleeding in approximately 50 per cent of the patients studied.