ISCHEMIC COLITIS INDUCED BY PRETREATMENT WITH A CATHARTIC FOR COLONOSCOPY: REPORT OF TWO CASES

Abstract

Colonoscopy for polyp observation revealed shallow longitudinal ulcerations in two women, one aged 48 years and the other aged 70 years. Both cases were in an acute phase of ischemic colitis according to our findings including biopsy study. They, however, were free from clinical symptoms such as abdominal pain and bloody stool, except that they had diarrhea due to the pretreatment with a cathartic. Therefore, these cases were made in the diagnosis of subclinical ischemic colitis. In conclusion, the present study was considered meaningful because we could demonstrate that subclinical ischemic colitis was existent and that intestinal factors might play an important role in the pathogenesis of ischemic colitis.