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Recurrent anaemia due to ischaemic colonic ulceration caused by cholesterol embolism
D J Grant1, D S Sanders, M E McMurdo
1Department of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK.
Insights
Cholesterol embolism caused ischemic colonic ulceration and gastrointestinal bleeding in an elderly patient with atherosclerosis. Surgical intervention for this rare condition proved curative, highlighting its importance in unexplained elderly GI blood loss.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Vascular Medicine
- Pathology
Background:
- Generalized atherosclerosis is a common condition in the elderly.
- Recurrent iron-deficiency anemia can be a presenting symptom of gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Unexplained gastrointestinal blood loss in elderly patients requires thorough investigation.
Abstract:
We describe an elderly patient with generalized atherosclerosis who presented with recurrent iron-deficiency anaemia. He underwent right hemicolectomy which revealed ischaemic colonic ulceration caused by cholesterol embolism. Surgery appeared to be curative. Cholesterol embolism should be considered as a possible cause of unexplained gastrointestinal blood loss in the elderly.