Abstract
A case of ischemic colitis associated with multiple sclerosis was reported. A 34-year-old female developed multiple sclerosis at the age of 16. Since then remissions and excerbations were repeated. In Jan. 1986, paraplegia, urinary retention and constipation developed and she was admitted to our department in Feb. 1986. Bilateral blindness, complete flaccid paralysis and loss of sensation due to transverse lesions of the thoracic spinal cord were observed although consciousness was clear. No bowel movement occurred for 2 days followed by anal bleeding. Colonofiberscopy performed on the same day revealed marked edema, indistensibility of the bowel, redness and bleeding in the sigmoid colon. Melanosis coli was also observed. Biopsy specimen demonstrated necrosis and "bursting" of the tubules (ghost like appearance) as well as the finding of nonspecific inflammation. The anal bleeding decreased gradually and ceased 4 days later. Barium enema and colonofiberscopy performed on 8 and 39 days after the anal bleeding were unremarkable, respectively. A diagnosis of ischemic colitis was made from clinical course, endoscopic and histologic findings. Mechanism of the onset of ischemic colitis in multiple sclerosis was discussed.
