2019 Volume 94 Issue 1 Pages 96-97
Ischemic colitis usually occurs in the elderly, in association with cardiovascular and arteriosclerotic diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus. We report the case of young woman, with no underlying diseases or bowel movement abnormality. A 15-year-old woman presented with sudden onset severe, cramping lower abdominal pain while sleeping, followed by hematochezia. Colonoscopic examination revealed erythematous mucosa with longitudinal ulcers in the descending and the sigmoid colon. Histopathological findings were compatible with ischemic colitis. Her symptoms were alleviated in a few days with conservative therapy. Ischemic colitis has rarely been reported in patients younger than 20 years of age. It should however be considered in the differential diagnosis of sudden-onset abdominal pain with hematochezia.
