A Case of Colonic Ischaemia Masquerading as a Colonic Mass

Abstract

Intestinal ischaemia is an uncommon vascular syndrome resulting from an acute or chronic drop in blood supply to the bowel, with varied clinical presentations. Intestinal ischaemia can present similarly to other conditions, leaving the clinician with a diagnostic dilemma. In this case report, we present a 69-year-old male who presented with abdominal pain, distention, anorexia and per rectal bleeding. Endoscopy showed a left-sided mass-like, ulcerated lesion, endoscopically thought to be colonic carcinoma. Histology later revealed this mass to be intestinal ischaemia, with no features of invasive carcinoma. This was confirmed at an interval endoscopy, which showed a largely healed mucosa and nil evidence of a mass. Raising awareness of this disease and its ability to mimic other presentations, both clinically and endoscopically, is key to establishing an early diagnosis and intervention.