A 62-year-old woman presented with chronic gastrointestinal bleeding. Colonoscopy
showed a longitudinal ulcer extending from the ascending to the transverse colon ([Fig. 1 ]
a). Biopsies taken from the ulcer ruled out malignancy and inflammatory bowel disease.
Despite extensive diagnostic workup, including angiography and CT scan, the cause
of the ulcer remained unclear. The patient denied taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs). The patient received empiric treatment with antibiotics, steroids,
and mesalamine (5-aminosalicylic acid, 5-ASA), but the ulcer persisted for 6 months
on repeated endoscopy. During this period the patient required the transfusion of
17 units of red blood cells. Repeated gastrointestinal hemorrhage finally prompted
right hemicolectomy.
The resection specimen showed a 23-cm-long antimesenteric ulcer of the ascending and
transverse colon with a maximum width of 3 cm ([Fig. 1 ]
b). Histological analysis disclosed chronic ulceration with reactive epithelial changes
([Fig. 1 ]
c). Three months later the patient again presented with lower gastrointestinal bleeding.
Colonoscopy showed a new longitudinal ulcer in the descending colon and additional
smaller ulcers in the ileum ([Fig. 1 ]
d). Despite repeated denial regarding NSAID intake, diclofenac and its metabolites
were detected in the patient’s urine by high-performance liquid chromatography. In
the face of these results, the patient finally admitted to chronic NSAID consumption.
Fig. 1 At colonoscopy the patient is found to have a longitudinal ulcer extending from the
ascending to the transverse colon (a). The resection specimen shows a 23-cm-long antimesenteric ulcer with a maximum width
of 3 cm (b). Histological section shows chronic ulceration with mild reactive epithelial changes
(c). Three months later a new longitudinal ulcer is detected in the descending colon
together with additional, smaller ulcers in the ileum (d).
NSAID-induced ulcers in the colon are usually reported as ring-like ulcers with the
formation of diaphragms, or as well-circumscribed single or multiple flat ulcers,
especially in the right colon and around the ileocecal valve [1]. The unusual longitudinal appearance of the presented ulcer has previously been
referred to as “colon single-stripe sign” and is thought to be related to ischemia
[2]. The occurrence of the colon single-stripe sign in a patient with chronic NSAID
intake and the antimesenteric location of the mucosal defect support the concept that
NSAID-related colonic ulcers may be caused by local ischemic injury due to liberation
of vasoconstrictive metabolites and/or vascular spasms [3].
Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_CCL_1AD_2AD
