Ischemic colitis

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Ischemic colitis
Classification & external resources
ICD-10 K55.9
ICD-9 557.9
DiseasesDB 34162
MedlinePlus 000258
eMedicine radio/180 

Ischemic colitis (Ischaemic Colitis - British English) is a medical condition in which inflammation and injury of the large intestine result from inadequate blood supply. Although uncommon in the general population, ischemic colitis occurs with greater frequency in the elderly, and is the most common form of bowel ischemia.[1] Causes of the reduced blood flow can include changes in the systemic circulation (e.g. low blood pressure) or local factors such as constriction of blood vessels or a blood clot. In most cases, no specific cause can be identified.[2]

Ischemic colitis is usually suspected on the basis of the clinical setting, physical examination, and laboratory test results; the diagnosis can be confirmed via endoscopy. Ischemic colitis can span a wide spectrum of severity; most patients are treated supportively and recover fully, while a minority with very severe ischemia may develop sepsis and become critically ill.[3]

Patients with mild to moderate ischemic colitis are usually treated with IV fluids, analgesia, and bowel rest (that is, no food or water by mouth) until the symptoms resolve. Those with severe ischemia who develop complications such as sepsis, intestinal gangrene, or bowel perforation may require more aggressive interventions such as surgery and intensive care. Most patients make a full recovery; occasionally, after severe ischemia, patients may develop long-term complications such as a stricture[4] or chronic colitis.[5]

Contents

[edit] Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of ischemic colitis vary depending on the severity of the ischemia. The most common early signs of ischemic colitis include abdominal pain (often left-sided), with mild to moderate amounts of rectal bleeding.[6]

Three progressive phases of ischemic colitis have been described:[7][8]

  • A hyperactive phase occurs first, in which the primary symptoms are severe abdominal pain and the passage of bloody stools. Many patients get better and do not progress beyond this phase.
  • A paralytic phase can follow if ischemia continues; in this phase, the abdominal pain becomes more widespread, the belly becomes more tender to the touch, and bowel motility decreases, resulting in abdominal bloating, no further bloody stools, and absent bowel sounds on exam.

[edit] Causes and epidemiology

The exact incidence of ischemic colitis is difficult to estimate, as many patients with mild ischemia may not seek medical attention. Ischemic colitis is responsible for about 1 in 2000 hospital admissions, and is seen on about 1 in 100 endoscopies.[9] Men and women are affected equally; ischemic colitis is a disease of the elderly, with more than 90% of cases occurring in people over the age of 60.[9]

Ischemic colitis is often classified according to the underlying cause. Non-occlusive ischemia develops because of low blood pressure or constriction of the vessels feeding the colon; occlusive ischemia indicates that a blood clot or other blockage has cut off blood flow to the colon.

[edit] Non-occlusive ischemia

In hemodynamic instable patients (i.e. shock) the mesenteric perfusion may be compromised. This condition is commonly asymptomatic, and usually only apparent through a systemic inflammatory response.

[edit] Occlusive ischemia

Mostly the result of a thromboembolism. Commonly the embolism is caused by atrial fibrillation, valvular disease, myocardial infarction, or [[cardiomyopathy

[edit] Pathophysiology

[edit] Colonic blood supply

The colon receives blood from both the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries. The blood supply from these two major arteries overlap, with abundant collateral circulation. However, there are weak points, or "watershed" areas, at the borders of the territory supplied by each of these arteries. These watershed areas are most vulnerable to ischemia when blood flow decreases, as they have the fewest vascular collaterals.

The rectum receives blood from both the inferior mesenteric artery and the internal iliac artery; the rectum is rarely involved by colonic ischemia due to this dual blood supply.

[edit] Development of ischemia

Under ordinary conditions, the colon receives between 10% and 35% of the total cardiac output.[10] If blood flow to the colon drops by more than about 50%, ischemia will develop. The arteries feeding the colon are very sensitive to vasoconstrictors; presumably this is an evolutionary adaptation to shunt blood away from the bowel and to the heart and brain in times of stress.[11] As a result, during periods of low blood pressure, the arteries feeding the colon clamp down vigorously; a similar process can result from vasoconstricting drugs such as ergotamine, cocaine, or vasopressors. This vasoconstriction can result in non-occlusive ischemic colitis.

[edit] Pathologic findings

A range of pathologic findings are seen in ischemic colitis, corresponding to the spectrum of clinical severity. In its mildest form, mucosal and submucosal hemorrhage and edema are seen, possibly with mild necrosis or ulceration.[9] With more severe ischemia, a pathologic picture resembling inflammatory bowel disease (i.e. chronic ulcerations, crypt abscesses and psuedopolyps) may be seen.[12] In the most severe cases, transmural infarction with resulting perforation may be seen; after recovery, the muscularis propria may be replaced by fibrous tissue, resulting in a stricture.[9] Following restoration of normal blood flow, reperfusion injury may also contribute to the damage to the colon.[13]

[edit] Diagnosis

Ischemic colitis must be differentiated from the many other causes of abdominal pain and rectal bleeding (for example, infection, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulosis, or colon cancer). It is also important to differentiate ischemic colitis, which often resolves on its own, from the more immediately life-threatening condition of acute mesenteric ischemia of the small bowel.

There are no specific blood tests for ischemic colitis. Plain X-rays are often normal or show non-specific findings.[14] CT scans are often used in the evaluation of abdominal pain and rectal bleeding, and may suggest the diagnosis of ischemic colitis, pick up complications, or suggest an alternate diagnosis.[15][16][17]

Endoscopic evaluation, via colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy, is the procedure of choice if the diagnosis remains unclear. Ischemic colitis has a distinctive endoscopic appearance; endoscopy can also facilitate alternate diagnoses such as infection or inflammatory bowel disease. Biopsies can be taken via endoscopy to provide more information.

[edit] Treatment

Except in the most severe cases, ischemic colitis is treated with supportive care. IV fluids are given to treat dehydration, and the patient is placed on bowel rest (meaning nothing to eat or drink) until the symptoms resolve. If possible, cardiac function and oxygenation should be optimized to improve oxygen delivery to the ischemic bowel. A nasogastric tube may be inserted if an ileus is present.

Antibiotics are sometimes given in moderate to severe cases; the data supporting this practice date to the 1950s,[18] although there is more recent animal data suggesting that antibiotics may increase survival and prevent bacteria from crossing the damaged lining of the colon into the bloodstream.[19][20][21] The use of prophylactic antibiotics in ischemic colitis has not been prospectively evaluated in humans, but many authorities recommend their use based on the animal data.[22]

Patients being treated supportively are carefully monitored. If they develop worsening symptoms and signs such as high white blood cell count, fever, worsened abdominal pain, or increased bleeding, then they may require surgical intervention; this usually consists of laparotomy and bowel resection.

[edit] Prognosis

Most patients with ischemic colitis recovery fully, although the prognosis depends on the severity of the ischemia. Patients with pre-existing peripheral vascular disease or ischemia of the ascending (right) colon may be at increased risk for complications or death.

Non-gangrenous ischemic colitis, which comprises the vast majority of cases, is associated with a mortality rate of approximately 6%.[23] However, the minority of patients who develop gangrene as a result of colonic ischemia have a mortality rate of 50-75% with surgical treatment; the mortality rate is almost 100% without surgical intervention.[24]

[edit] Long-term complications

About 20% of patients with acute ischemic colitis may develop a long-term complication known as chronic ischemic colitis.[25] Symptoms can include recurrent infections, bloody diarrhea, weight loss, and chronic abdominal pain. Chronic ischemic colitis is often treated with surgical removal of the chronically diseased portion of the bowel.

A colonic stricture is a band of scar tissue which forms as a result of the ischemic injury and narrows the lumen of the colon. Strictures are often treated observantly; they may heal spontaneously over 12-24 months. If a bowel obstruction develops as a result of the stricture, surgical resection is the usual treatment,[26] although endoscopic dilatation and stenting have also been employed.[27][28]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Higgins P, Davis K, Laine L (2004). "Systematic review: the epidemiology of ischaemic colitis.". Aliment Pharmacol Ther 19 (7): 729-38. PMID 15043513. 
  2. ^ Feldman: Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease, 7th ed., 2002 Saunders, p. 2332.
  3. ^ Medina C, Vilaseca J, Videla S, Fabra R, Armengol-Miro J, Malagelada J (2004). "Outcome of patients with ischemic colitis: review of fifty-three cases.". Dis Colon Rectum 47 (2): 180-4. PMID 15043287. 
  4. ^ Simi M, Pietroletti R, Navarra L, Leardi S (1995). "Bowel stricture due to ischemic colitis: report of three cases requiring surgery.". Hepatogastroenterology 42 (3): 279-81. PMID 7590579. 
  5. ^ Cappell M (1998). "Intestinal (mesenteric) vasculopathy. II. Ischemic colitis and chronic mesenteric ischemia.". Gastroenterol Clin North Am 27 (4): 827-60, vi. PMID 9890115. 
  6. ^ Greenwald D, Brandt L, Reinus J (2001). "Ischemic bowel disease in the elderly.". Gastroenterol Clin North Am 30 (2): 445-73. PMID 11432300. 
  7. ^ Boley, SJ, Brandt, LJ, Veith, FJ. Ischemic disorders of the intestines. Curr Probl Surg 1978; 15:1.
  8. ^ Hunter G, Guernsey J (1988). "Mesenteric ischemia.". Med Clin North Am 72 (5): 1091-115. PMID 3045452. 
  9. ^ a b c d Feldman: Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease, 7th ed., 2002 Saunders, p. 2332.
  10. ^ UpToDate, Colonic ischemia, accessed 2 September 2006.
  11. ^ Rosenblum J, Boyle C, Schwartz L (1997). "The mesenteric circulation. Anatomy and physiology.". Surg Clin North Am 77 (2): 289-306. PMID 9146713. 
  12. ^ Brandt LJ, Boley SJ, Goldberg L, et al: Colitis in the elderly. Am J Gastroenterol 76:239, 1981.
  13. ^ Granger D, Rutili G, McCord J (1981). "Superoxide radicals in feline intestinal ischemia.". Gastroenterology 81 (1): 22-9. PMID 6263743. 
  14. ^ Smerud M, Johnson C, Stephens D (1990). "Diagnosis of bowel infarction: a comparison of plain films and CT scans in 23 cases.". AJR Am J Roentgenol 154 (1): 99-103. PMID 2104734. 
  15. ^ Alpern M, Glazer G, Francis I (1988). "Ischemic or infarcted bowel: CT findings.". Radiology 166 (1 Pt 1): 149-52. PMID 3336673. 
  16. ^ Balthazar E, Yen B, Gordon R (1999). "Ischemic colitis: CT evaluation of 54 cases.". Radiology 211 (2): 381-8. PMID 10228517. 
  17. ^ Taourel P, Deneuville M, Pradel J, Régent D, Bruel J (1996). "Acute mesenteric ischemia: diagnosis with contrast-enhanced CT.". Radiology 199 (3): 632-6. PMID 8637978. 
  18. ^ PATH, EJ, McCLURE, JN Jr. Intestinal obstruction; the protective action of sulfasuxidine and sulfathalidine to the ileum following vascular damage. Ann Surg 1950; 131:159.
  19. ^ Plonka A, Schentag J, Messinger S, Adelman M, Francis K, Williams J (1989). "Effects of enteral and intravenous antimicrobial treatment on survival following intestinal ischemia in rats.". J Surg Res 46 (3): 216-20. PMID 2921861. 
  20. ^ Bennion R, Wilson S, Williams R (1984). "Early portal anaerobic bacteremia in mesenteric ischemia.". Arch Surg 119 (2): 151-5. PMID 6696611. 
  21. ^ Redan J, Rush B, Lysz T, Smith S, Machiedo G (1990). "Organ distribution of gut-derived bacteria caused by bowel manipulation or ischemia.". Am J Surg 159 (1): 85-9; discussion 89-90. PMID 2403765. 
  22. ^ Feldman: Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease, 7th ed., 2002 Saunders, p. 2334.
  23. ^ Longo W, Ballantyne G, Gusberg R (1992). "Ischemic colitis: patterns and prognosis.". Dis Colon Rectum 35 (8): 726-30. PMID 1643995. 
  24. ^ Parish K, Chapman W, Williams L (1991). "Ischemic colitis. An ever-changing spectrum?". Am Surg 57 (2): 118-21. PMID 1992867. 
  25. ^ Cappell M (1998). "Intestinal (mesenteric) vasculopathy. II. Ischemic colitis and chronic mesenteric ischemia.". Gastroenterol Clin North Am 27 (4): 827-60, vi. PMID 9890115. 
  26. ^ Simi M, Pietroletti R, Navarra L, Leardi S (1995). "Bowel stricture due to ischemic colitis: report of three cases requiring surgery.". Hepatogastroenterology 42 (3): 279-81. PMID 7590579. 
  27. ^ Oz M, Forde K (1990). "Endoscopic alternatives in the management of colonic strictures.". Surgery 108 (3): 513-9. PMID 2396196. 
  28. ^ Profili S, Bifulco V, Meloni G, Demelas L, Niolu P, Manzoni M (1996). "[A case of ischemic stenosis of the colon-sigmoid treated with self-expandable uncoated metallic prosthesis]". Radiol Med (Torino) 91 (5): 665-7. PMID 8693144. 

[edit] Further reading

  • (2001) "Ischemic colitis: a brief review.". Curr Surg 58 (2): 192-194. PMID 11275243. 
  • Sreenarasimhaiah J (2005). "Diagnosis and management of ischemic colitis.". Curr Gastroenterol Rep 7 (5): 421-6. PMID 16168242. 
  • Green B, Tendler D (2005). "Ischemic colitis: a clinical review.". South Med J 98 (2): 217-22. PMID 15759953. 

[edit] External links

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