Portal hypertensive colopathy: histologic appearance of the colonic mucosa.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate macroscopic and histologic disorders of the colon in rats with portal hypertension.


METHODS
The animals were divided into two groups: 10 rats in the experimental group and 10 controls. Portal hypertension was induced by a partial ligation of the portal vein. We assessed the histologic appearance and macroscopic alterations of the colonic mucosa 12 weeks after the induction of portal hypertension.


RESULTS
The macroscopic results showed the presence of the typical signs of portal hypertension, with dilatation and tortuosity of the mesenteric veins and hyperemia of the rectum and colon. Histologic study revealed a marked dilatation in the microcirculation at the level of the ascending colon (20 +/- 2 micra in diameter) and rectum (30 +/- 4), with a tendency to group the lesions. Submucosal edema without inflammatory signs was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The existence of these lesions in the colon and rectum can be the cause of hemorrhage, as in the gastropathy of portal hypertension and should be considered in cases of undiagnosed hemorrhage in patients with portal hypertension.
Ponce González
J F
JF
Department of Surgery, Virgen del Rocio University Hospital, Seville, Spain.
Dominguez Adame Lanuza
E
E
Martin Zurita
I
I
Morales Méndez
S
S
D000818:Animals; D003106:Colon / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012007:Rectum / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology