Recurrent anaemia due to ischaemic colonic ulceration caused by cholesterol embolism.
We describe an elderly patient with generalized atherosclerosis who presented with recurrent iron-deficiency anaemia. He underwent right hemicolectomy which revealed ischaemic colonic ulceration caused by cholesterol embolism. Surgery appeared to be curative. Cholesterol embolism should be considered as a possible cause of unexplained gastrointestinal blood loss in the elderly.
Grant
D J
DJ
Department of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK.
Sanders
D S
DS
McMurdo
M E
ME
Lyall
M H
MH
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000209:etiology*; D001160:Arterioles / Q000737:chemistry; D002784:Cholesterol; D003106:Colon / Q000098:blood supply; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D004620:Embolism, Fat / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D014456:Ulcer / Q000150:complications
D002784:Cholesterol