A Case of Ulcerative Colitis with Massive Bleeding Treated by Endoscopy

Abstract

A 21-year-old male had been suffering from ulcerative colitis (UC) from age 18. He was admitted to our hospital due to fever, abdominal pain, and frequent bloody stool. Although the general condition had been improved by intravenous steroid, frequent bloody stools developed and hypovolemic shock occurred at the 22nd hospital day. Urgent colonoscopy revealed local bleeding from an exposed vessel of the ulcer in the ascending colon, which was treated by endoscopic hemostasis by clipping. After the hemostasis, the dose of steroid could be tapered and general condition improved.
In the case of UC with massive bleeding, urgent colonoscopy and endoscopic hemostasis shoud be attempted considering the possibility of local bleeding before urgent surgical therapy.