title: Colonoscopy in the diagnosis of unexplained rectal bleeding.
abstract: Three hundred six patients with unexplained rectal bleeding were examined by colonoscopy. Significant lesions were found in 30% including polyps having a diameter of 0.5 cm or larger in 14%, carcinoma in 8%, and a small number of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, vascular formations, and radiation colitis. Colonoscopic findings in a large subgroup of patients with diverticulosis established by barium enema did not differ significantly from those of the group as a whole. Significant lesions were also identified in 22% of small subsets of patients with occult bleeding or unexplained melena.
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000175:diagnosis; D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000175:diagnosis; D002430:Cecal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D003092:Colitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D003106:Colon / Q000098:blood supply; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004241:Diverticulum, Colon / Q000175:diagnosis; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007417:Intestinal Polyps / Q000175:diagnosis; D008551:Melena / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009780:Occult Blood; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy