Current management of massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding.
Massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage originates in the colon in 70% of cases. In half the remaining cases it originates in the small bowel, and in the other half in the duodenum. Currently available diagnostic techniques are: mesenteric angiography, barium contrast meal studies, colonoscopy, and laparotomy. Causes of massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding are: diverticulosis, angiodysplasia, ischemic colitis, inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal varices. Accurate localization of the bleeding site is essential if surgical treatment is to be successful.
D000792:Angiography; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D004733:Enema; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D001466:Barium Sulfate