Return of the Living Dead Gut – A Case Report of Ischemic Colitis Identified on Point of Care Ultrasound

Abstract

Ischemic colitis is the most common form of gastrointestinal ischemia . The diagnosis of ischemic colitis is made by clinical data and computed tomography (CT) imaging of the abdomen and pelvis . While colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for diagnosis, this is not performed in the emergency department (ED) . Few studies have been performed to describe the sonographic findings of ischemic colitis using point of care ultrasound (POCUS). We report a case that highlights the sonographic findings of ischemic colitis in a patient who had two separate visits to the ED, showcasing the utility of POCUS in making this diagnosis. POCUS can be used as a diagnostic tool for early detection of ischemic colitis leading to prompt treatment with antibiotics, CT imaging, and surgical consultation.

Keywords

• emergency medicine
• ischemic colitis
• bowel ultrasound
• Case report
• Abdominal point-of-care ultrasound