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Ischemic colitis may be a diagnostic sign for the presence of aortic abdominal aneurysm (AAA)
Author(s) -
Hinsley Brett,
Gowan Savannah,
Casey Bradley,
Urita Lea,
Molnar Attila,
Reeves Nicole,
Nagy Gyorgy,
Sandy Lisa
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.lb3
Subject(s) - abdominal aortic aneurysm , medicine , sign (mathematics) , ischemic colitis , cardiology , radiology , aortic aneurysm , colitis , aneurysm , mathematics , mathematical analysis
In developed countries, the annual incidence of aortic abdominal aneurysm (AAA) diagnoses is approximately 2.5 to 6.5 per 1000 people per year; therefore, timely diagnosis followed by surgical repair is vital. Ischemic colitis etiology is multifactorial, consequently differential diagnosis is difficult. There is a wide range of clinical presentations dependent on the duration and severity of the underlying pathology. According to current literature, ischemic damage to the gastrointestinal tract is usually reported as a complication after surgical AAA repair. Reduced blood flow to the mucosa is the ultimate cause of ischemic colitis, thus an unrecognized AAA may lead to ischemic colitis, especially in cases when either the AAA compromises the superior or inferior mesenteric artery. During an anatomy dissection, a suprarenal AAA was incidentally found in a 73‐year‐old female cadaver, along with black discoloration of the colon, suggesting necrosis. Without the patient's medical history, it was presumed she suffered from ischemic colitis. Histo‐pathology findings indicate that ischemic necrosis of the bowel can develop due to an uncomplicated suprarenal AAA before and without surgical repair, therefore we suggest AAA be included in the diagnostic differential for ischemic colitis. Recognizing the possible correlation between ischemic colitis and AAAs may help to identify more “silent” AAAs before they cause fatal complications. Support or Funding Information This study is supported and funded by Ross University School of Medicine.This image displays a sizeable plaque on our cadaver's aorta.This is an image of the cadaver's glomerulus.This is an image of the cortex of the cadaver's kidney.Control image from a healthy kidney.Leukocyte infiltration image of the cadver's kidney.Macroscopic image of the cadaver's AAA.Microscopic image of the cadaver's colon.A control image from a healthy colon.