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Bleeding Diverticulosis
These three photos were taken recently by Dr. Ernest Stanley during a colonoscopy examination on an 81 year old gentleman who presented to our local Emergency Department complaining of 24 hours of significant rectal bleeding. The top photograph show scattered hollow "pockets" of diverticulosis within the left colon. The dark spots are the openings of the pockets. The lining is covered with fresh red blood.
After carefully washing away the old blood, Dr. Stanley was able to identify the small diverticular pocket that was causing all of the bleeding. This can be seen clearly in the middle photo. Rather than subject this elderly patient to major surgery to stop the loss of blood, Dr. Stanley elected to cauterize the bleeding site by passing a special computer-controlled cautery probe through the colonoscope.
In the last photograph you can see the whitish cautery mark over the bleeding site. Dr. Stanley's procedure was successful. The bleeding was stopped and the risks, pain, and cost of major surgery avoided. The patient was discharged home in good condition a few days later. This is a just another example of how advances in modern medicine, such as colonocopy, have improved patient care.
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