Ischemic colitis physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Hamid Qazi, MD, BSc [2]

Overview

Ischemic colitis is characterized by abdominal pain which is out of proportion to physical findings, specifically excruciating abdominal pain despite limited focal tenderness, heme-positive rectal exam, and rebound tenderness if peritonitis is present.

Physical Examination

The physical examination findings of ischemic colitis are as follows:^[1]^[2]

Physical examination of patients with ischemic colitis is usually remarkable for abdominal tenderness, heme-positive rectal exam, and rebound tenderness if peritonitis is present.

Appearance of the Patient

Patients with ischemic colitis usually appear in apparent distress due to pain

Vital Signs

Tachycardia with regular pulse
Tachypnea

Skin

Skin examination of patients with ischemic colitis is usually normal

HEENT

HEENT examination of patients with ischemic colitis is usually normal

Neck

Neck examination of patients with ischemic colitis is usually normal

Lungs

Pulmonary examination of patients with ischemic colitis is usually normal

Heart

Cardiovascular examination of patients with ischemic colitis is usually normal

Abdomen

Abdominal distention
Abdominal tenderness over the affected area of bowel
Rebound tenderness present if there is peritonitis
Increased bowel sounds

Back

Back examination of patients with ischemic colitis is usually normal

Genitourinary

Genitourinary examination of patients with ischemic colitis is usually normal

Neuromuscular

Neuromuscular examination of patients with ischemic colitis is usually normal

Extremities

Extermities examination of patients with ischemic colitis is usually normal

References

↑ Theodoropoulou, Αngeliki; Κoutroubakis, Ioannis E (2008). “Ischemic colitis: Clinical practice in diagnosis and treatment”. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 14 (48): 7302. doi:10.3748/wjg.14.7302. ISSN 1007-9327.
↑ Huguier M, Barrier A, Boelle PY, Houry S, Lacaine F (2006). “Ischemic colitis”. Am. J. Surg. 192 (5): 679–84. doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2005.09.018. PMID 17071206.

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[TheodoropoulouΚoutroubakis2008-1] Theodoropoulou, Αngeliki; Κoutroubakis, Ioannis E (2008). “Ischemic colitis: Clinical practice in diagnosis and treatment”. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 14 (48): 7302. doi:10.3748/wjg.14.7302. ISSN 1007-9327.

[pmid17071206-2] Huguier M, Barrier A, Boelle PY, Houry S, Lacaine F (2006). “Ischemic colitis”. Am. J. Surg. 192 (5): 679–84. doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2005.09.018. PMID 17071206.

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[2]