Ischemic Colitis

Ischemic colitis occurs as a result of the decrease of arterial blood supply at the level of the colon and may have consequences which vary from completely reversible lesions to ischemic necrosis. It is a condition that affects both sexes, predominantly people over the age of 50, having multiple etiologies in which the main role is played by atherosclerosis. The symptomatology varies from mild symptoms, which are reversible, to severe ones, with a vital risk. The colonoscopy does not show pathognomonic signs, but it has high sensitivity due to the involvement of the mucosa. There are different treatments according to the clinical form. In general, it goes into remission spontaneously. Emergency surgical treatment is required in acute pancolitis, toxic megacolon, massive hemorrhages, when a subtotal colectomy is performed.