Cases report: severe colonic bleeding in ulcerative colitis is refractory to selective transcatheter arterial embolization

Emergency surgery for acute rectal bleeding in a newly diagnosed case of fulminant ulcerative colitis

INTRODUCTION

The incidence of ulcerative colitis is rising among Asian population. Massive bleeding per rectum is an uncommon, but serious, complication of UC accounting for 0.1-1.4 % of admissions.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 22-year-old male, reported persistent abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and intermittent vomiting for one week. Physical examination revealed signs of dehydration and pallor. Laboratory tests showed elevated inflammatory markers. CT and colonoscopy confirmed ulcerative colitis, refractory to corticosteroids, leading to a subtotal colectomy followed by Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis. The patient was symptom free at a 24-month follow-up.

DISCUSSION

Bleeding that occurs during the initial stages of the disease or in cases where the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis hasn't been confirmed makes it challenging for patients to accept the need for extensive surgery and the creation of a stoma. Conservative procedures are advised in such settings.

CONCLUSION

Acute severe bleeding in ulcerative colitis is rare but demands a multidisciplinary approach for timely diagnosis and treatment. In resource and expertise limited situation, where patients are noncompliant to regular follow-ups surgical treatment can still be intervention of choice for these cases.

Emergency colectomy for massive rectal bleeding in a patient with well-controlled ulcerative colitis receiving Vedolizumab

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory condition, with a relapsing-remitting course. The case presented poses some valid questions regarding short-term and long-term management of patients with UC, and if the outcome (colectomy) could have been delayed or even prevented. Rectal bleeding is a cardinal symptom in patients with UC and it occurs among all patients during active disease. Massive rectal bleeding is an uncommon, but serious, complication of UC accounting for 0.1-1.4% of admissions. It is, nonetheless, noteworthy that instances of acute significant lower gastrointestinal bleeding accompanied by hemodynamic instability are infrequent. The rate of colectomy appears to be positively impacted by biological treatment. However, a refractory condition is still the primary reason for surgery, indicating a pressing need for new treatment approaches. Here we present the case of a young male patient who developed massive rectal bleeding and underwent emergent colectomy with ileostomy while having clinical and biological remission (normal calprotectin levels) at week 10 of Vedolizumab treatment.