Ischemic Colitis — Physical Examination and Diagnosis

Ischemic colitis (ischemic disease of the colon) was first described in 1966. It occurs when there is an occlusion of branches of the superior mesenteric (SMA) or inferior mesenteric arteries; the vast majority of cases describe the lesion in the splenic flexure and left colon. This severe illness is very common among the elderly with pronounced cardiovascular disorders. The onset is followed by an acute stabbing abdominal pain and rectal bleeding with diarrhea in most of the cases. Ischemic disease of the colon requires immediate actions; the sooner the treatment is administered, the more benign the outcome is.