[Objectives]: Colonic diverticular disease has become a common condition among the Japanese elderly. Diverticular bleeding also turns it into an acute and life-threatening problem. In some cases, it is difficult to manage the bleeding. This study reviews the diagnosis and therapeutic methods in 37 patients with diverticular bleeding at Matsue City Hospital, with the hope our experiences may inspire others. [Patients]: 180 patients with colonic iverticulosis (mean age 53.6± 57 yrs, males / females = 123/57) hospitalized in Matsue City Hospital were enrolled in this study from August 2005 to June 2012. 37 of these patients suffered from diverticular bleeding (mean age 71.5 ± 11.2 yrs, males / females = 26/11). The therapeutic methods and outcomes of these 37 patients are here reviewed. [Results]: These 37 patients had a mean initial hemoglobin level of 11.7 g/dl (ranging from 5.3 to 15.9 g/dl) on admission, and their mean lowest hemoglobin level during initial hospitalization was 9.0 g/dl (ranging from 5.3 to 13.7 g/dl). 14 patients (37.8%) needed blood transfusions. At the time of admission, 12 patients (32 5%) were on anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet therapy. Prior to colonoscopy, an urgent dynamic CT scan was performed on all patients for the diagnostic purposes. Emergency or planned colonoscopy was performed on 34 cases (91.9%). Colonoscopy permitted definite identification of bleeding sites in 12 cases (35.3%) (4 cases in the ascending, 2 in the transverse, 1 in the descending and 5 in the sigmoid colon). In 8 of these cases, the bleeding was successfully stopped by endoscopic hemostatic procedure alone. In the 4 other cases, successful hemostasis was ultimately achieved with the aid of interventional radiology (IR). Altogether, a total of 15 patients received IR, whereby bleeding was successfully stopped in 8 cases. Eventually, bleeding stopped spontaneously in 21(56.8%) patients. There were no surgical cases or therapy-related deaths during the period. [Conclusion]: Identification of bleeding sites is essential for the treatment of colonic diverticular bleeding but often difficult because diverticula are usually multiple. Colonoscopy is widely used as it allows direct visual diagnosis and immediate therapy. But when endoscopic hemostasis fails or in severe cases, the timely choice of IR is an important alternative.
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