Ischemic colitis

Colon ischemia is a well-recognized clinical entity that often occurs spontaneously in patients over the age of 50 years. Many previous cases of nonspecific colitis are now felt to have been secondary to an ischemic event. In contrast to patients with acute mesenteric ischemia and extensive necrosis of the small bowel, the majority of patients with isolated colon ischemia follow a benign clinical course. Most patients present days, weeks, or months after the initial ischemic insult, and many may not have any recognizable antecedent episode of colon ischemia. However, some patients develop a fulminant form of the disease that causes colon infarction and death if not treated early. A high index of suspicion is necessary to make the diagnosis in the hospitalized patient. Endoscopy is recommended to confirm the diagnosis and the extent of injury and to monitor progression or resolution of disease. Aggressive management is of paramount importance to minimize the damage to the ischemic colon and reduce the otherwise high in-hospital mortality rate. Surgical intervention is indicated for patients with evidence of peritonitis or transmural infarction or perforation of the colon and for patients with chronic symptomatic colitis or stricture.