[Differential diagnosis and therapy possibilities of hematochezia in elderly patients]

In a survey the differential diagnosis and the exploratory and therapeutic possibilities in massive colonic hemorrhage are discussed. In elderly patients the most frequent sources are diverticular hemorrhage and bleeding angiodysplastic lesions. Scintigraphy is the least invasive method of localizing the source of bleeding. Angiography presents, apart from diagnosis, therapeutic possibilities such as embolization or intraarterial administration of vasopressin. In case of failure of conservative treatment hemicolectomy is indicated.