[Massive lower digestive hemorrhage caused by colonic ulcers secondary to cholesterol embolism].
Cholesterol crystal embolization has been considered an unusual entity with poor short term prognosis. However, it is an underestimated complication according to post-mortem findings. Patients have quite characteristic risk and precipitating factors which may be an aid to suspect the diagnosis. Gastrointestinal bleeding of different severity occurs in only 10% of patients with visceral embolization. We present the case of a patient with massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to several ulcerations in the hepatic flexure due to bowel cholesterol embolization.
Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital de Navarra, Pamplona.
F
F
Borda
A
A
Guerra
T
T
Tuñón
M
M
Laiglesia
M J
MJ
Sara
J R
JR
Vidán
D000368:Aged; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D017700:Embolism, Cholesterol / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014456:Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology