Abstract
BackgroundSevere haemorrhage is an uncommon but life-threatening complication of ulcerative colitis (UC). Superselective transcatheter embolization has shown to be an effective and safe therapeutic modality in patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding of various aetiologies; nevertheless, its role in UC-related acute bleeding is unknown.Cases presentationEfficacy and safety of selective transcatheter arterial embolization in three consecutive UC patients diagnosed with massive haemorrhage admitted in a tertiary institution are reported. In all patients computed tomography scan showed active arterial haemorrhage from ascendant or sigmoid colon; subsequent arteriography demonstrated active arterial bleeding from colic branches of the superior or inferior mesenteric arteries, and selective transcatheter embolization was performed with immediate technical success in all three cases. Nevertheless, rebleeding requiring subtotal colectomy occurred between 5 h and 6 days after the procedure.ConclusionsTranscatheter arterial embolization is not an effective therapeutic approach in UC patients with severe, acute colonic haemorrhage. Colectomy should not be delayed in this setting.
Highlights
ConclusionsTranscatheter arterial embolization is not an effective therapeutic approach in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients with severe, acute colonic haemorrhage
Severe haemorrhage is an uncommon but life-threatening complication of ulcerative colitis (UC)
We present a single centre experience of all three cases of massive haemorrhage in UC patients
Summary
Transcatheter arterial embolization is not an effective therapeutic approach in UC patients with severe, acute colonic haemorrhage.
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