August 13, 2015 - Lower GI Bleeding Flashcards
Ligament of Treitz
A marker of where upper and lower GI bleeds are seperated.
Proximal –> Upper
Distal –> Lower
Hematochezia
To defecate blood.
Dark red usually means the right colon, while bright red is typically the left colon.
Perianal Bleeding Causes
Usually…
- Hemorrhoids
- Anal fissure
- Solitary rectal ulcer (from trauma. Similar to MW tear)
- Proctitis
- Polyps
- Cancer
Diverticulosis
The condition of having diverticula (sacs) present in the colonic mucosa through weaknesses of muscle layers in the colon wall. Most common in the sigmoid colon.
Can present with complications such as diverticular bleeding (painless hematochezia), or diverticular colitis which has crampy pain.
Diverticulosis and Ethnicity
Europeans typically have diverticula in the left colon, while Asians frequently have diverticula in the right colon.
Ischemia
Insufficient bloodflow to a tissue, which can result in death.
Ischemic Colitis
Usually occurs with a co-morbidity. There are usually two sources of blood to much of the large bowel. The rectosigmoid region only has one blood supply though, so this is more common in that area.
Causes pain and cramps.