Unusual vascular diseases of the colon : ischaemic colitis and angiodysplasia

Abstract

This study describes a series of patients with unusual colonic diseases that affect large and small vessels: ischaemic colitis and angiodysplasia. Five cases of ischaemic colitis were diagnosed by endoscopy. One was diagnosed in the acute phase, the others were found in the course of investigation of the resulting stricture. The site was predominantly in the lower descending colon. All cases had associated cardiac disease; one required colonic surgery. The nature of this study selected patients with non-gangrenous, mild ischaemic colitis. The two patients with angiodysplasia presented with evidence of anaemia; in one this was associated with fresh rectal bleeding, whereas in the other there was a 10 year history of chronic occult gastrointestinal haemorrhage. These two rare diseases of the colon are discussed.