Colon

Other nonneoplastic

Infarct



Last author update: 3 March 2021
Last staff update: 5 March 2021

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PubMed Search: Colonic infarct[TIAB]

Raul S. Gonzalez, M.D.
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Cite this page: Gonzalez RS. Infarct. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/coloninfarct.html. Accessed March 28th, 2024.
Definition / general
  • Death of colonic tissue due to any marked loss of blood supply to colon, including vascular insufficiency and trauma
  • See also ischemic colitis
Essential features
  • Necrosis of colon due to loss of blood supply
  • Cause may not be evident histologically
  • Surgical resection necessary
Clinical features
  • Depends on cause but abdominal pain and hematochezia are common
Case reports
Treatment
  • Surgical resection of necrotic colon
Gross description
  • Intestine is dusky and necrotic
Gross images

Images hosted on other servers:

Necrotic segments of colon

Microscopic (histologic) description
  • Typically transmural colonic necrosis, with nonviable mucosa and edema, hemorrhage and congestion of wall
Microscopic (histologic) images

Contributed by Raul S. Gonzalez, M.D.
Colon infarct Colon infarct

Colon infarct

Videos

Histopathology colon - hemorrhagic infarct

Sample pathology report
  • Descending colon, resection:
    • Segment of colon with diffuse transmural necrosis and hemorrhage, extending to both resection margins
Board review style question #1

Which of the following is true about colonic infarction?

  1. Cause can always be observed on histologic examination
  2. Colon paradoxically appears normal grossly
  3. Only the mucosa is affected
  4. Surgery is necessary for treatment
Board review style answer #1
D. Surgery is necessary for treatment

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Reference: Infarct
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