[Anatomic-pathologic diagnosis of ischemic colitis]

Ischemic colitis is caused by anoxia of the colonic and rectal wall due to defective regional blood supply. The pathology examination distinguishes acute obstructive and non-obstructive gangrenous ischemic colitis from chronic segmentary stenosing ischemia on the basis of the gross aspect and microscopic criteria and is necessary for differential diagnosis. Endoscopy, which is contraindicated in acute gangrenous ischemic colitis, provides a biopsy. Acute transitory ischemia can be distinguished from chronic stenosing colitis.