Analysis of the clinical features of ischemic colitis

Although ischemic colitis is not rare in the elderly with episodes of ischemia involving the heart and brain, clinical features of mild cases (transient type) have seldom been reported. Whereas the diagnostic findings of ischemic colitis are said to be longitudinal ulcers and stricture, longitudinal ulcers were noted only in 38% of the transient type in our series. For the correct diagnosis of the transient type, it was necessary to observe slight mucosal changes such as edema, congestion and petechiae by colonoscopy. It is emphasized that for the diagnosis of the mild transient type of ischemic colitis emergency colonoscopy must be performed as soon as possible after the onset of abdominal pain or rectal bleeding.