An elderly man with gastric cancer, Saint's triad and Heyde's syndrome / Un anciano con cáncer gástrico, tríada de Saint y síndrome de Heyde

This case study describes a 71-year-old man with signet-ring cell gastric adenocarcinoma and malignant sigmoidal polyp; and typical features of Saint's triad and Heyde syndrome. He had digestive bleeding, two types of hernia, diverticulosis, arterial hypertension, malignant polyp, and antecedent of smoking, lung tuberculosis, and surgical correction of aortic valve stenosis. There is a hypothetical inverse relationship between herniosis and development of malignancy; however, the patient herein described presented gastric and sigmoidal cancers. Gastrointestinal malignancies are sometimes associated with paraneoplastic entities, isolated or manifested as syndromes, but neither Saint's triad or Heyde syndrome have been included. This patient persisted clinically stable during the preoperative period, but suddenly died; Trousseau's syndrome would be the most probable mechanism of sudden death in this setting. Case reports can stimulate further studies to get additional knowledge about unusual entities.

Este estudio de caso describe un hombre de 71 años de edad, con adenocarcinoma gástrico con células en anillo de sello y un pólipo maligno sigmoideo; y características típicas de la tríada de Saint y del síndrome de Heyde. Tuvo una hemorragia digestiva, dos tipos de hernias, divertículos, hipertensión arterial, y pólipo maligno; con antecedente de tabaquismo, tuberculosis pulmonar, y corrección quirúrgica de estenosis de la válvula aórtica. Hay una hipotética relación inversa entre hernioses y el desarrollo de malignidades; sin embargo, el paciente que se describe en el presente documento presentó cánceres gástrico y sigmoideo. Neoplasias gastrointestinales se asocian a veces con entidades para neoplásicas aisladas o manifiestan síndromes, pero ni la tríada de Saint ni el síndrome de Heyde se ha incluido. Este paciente persistió clínicamente estable durante el período preoperatorio, pero de repente murió; síndrome de Trousseau sería el mecanismo más probable de muerte súbita en esta situación. Los informes de casos pueden estimular más estudios para obtener un conocimiento adicional sobre esas entidades inusuales.

The Risk of Metachronous Advanced Colorectal Neoplasia Rises in Parallel with an Increasing Number of High-Risk Findings at Baseline

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colorectal adenomas that are > or =10 mm have villous histology or high-grade dysplasia, or that are associated with > or =3 adenomas are considered high-risk for metachronous advanced neoplasia. We evaluated the cumulative incidence of metachronous advanced neoplasia according to the total number of high-risk findings detected on baseline colonoscopy. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study performed in 862 patients who underwent removal of colorectal adenomas between 2005 and 2009. At least one surveillance colonoscopy had been conducted at Konkuk University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of metachronous advanced neoplasia in patients with 0, 1, 2, and 3-4 high-risk findings at 1 year were 0.7%, 1.3%, 2.8%, and 8.0%; at 3 years, those were 5.9%, 11.9%, 15.5%, and 24.7%; and at 5 years, those were 8.5%, 18.7%, 26.3%, and 37.2%, respectively. In a multivariate model, the risk of metachronous advanced neoplasia was significantly higher for the multiple high-risk findings group when compared with the 0 high-risk findings group (1 high-risk (+): hazard ratio, 1.86 [95% confidence interval, 1.00-3.44]; 2 high-risk (+): 1.84 [0.88-3.84]; and 3-4 high-risk (+): 3.29 [1.54-7.01]; ptrend=0.020). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of overlapping multiple high-risk findings was associated with an increased risk of advanced neoplasia during surveillance.

GIST Yeyunal con Sangrado Digestivo de Origen Oscuro / Jejunal GIST with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

Reportamos el caso de una mujer de 84 años con antecedentes de arritmia cardiaca y hemorroides. Tenía múltiples hospitalizaciones y transfusiones por anemia ferropénica sintomática; los estudios endoscópicos solo demostraron divertículos y pequeños pòlipos de colon. Posteriormente fue hospitalizada por presentar heces sanguinolentas de color rojo vinoso; la endoscopia alta indicó gastritis y la colonoscopia mostró pequeñas úlceras colónicas, un pólipo colónico y múltiples divertículos. Meses después, reingresó con hemorragia de origen oscuro; en esa ocasión se demostraron: gastritis, erosiones antrales, pequeños pólipos colónicos y úlceras colónicas en vías de cicatrización; la cápsula endoscópica mostró probable angiodisplasia en yeyuno medio, la enteroscopia anterógrada detectó en yeyuno proximal algunas lesiones eritematosas sin evidencia de sangrado activo. Volvió a ser hospitalizada por melena y dolor abdominal, la endoscopia alta mostró angiodisplasias gástricas y duodenales que fueron tratadas. El último ingreso indicó un tiempo de enfermedad de dos años, el episodio se caracterizó por presentar deposiciones rojo vinosas y anemia. La endoscopia mostró angiodisplasia gástrica, que fue tratada con termocoagulación con argón plasma. En el examen no presentó signos de descompensación hipovolémica. Enfocado como un problema de hemorragia digestiva de origen oscuro se repitieron varios exámenes endoscópicos sin resultados. Resangró estando hospitalizada, se realizó cápsula endoscópica que demostró sangrado agudo en yeyuno, se complementó con nueva enteroscopia anterógrada que mostró lesiones ulceradas de yeyuno, se marcó el área con tinta china y se indicó laparotomía exploratoria. En la intervención quirúrgica se encontró en borde antimesentérico de yeyuno, una tumoración redondeada (6x6x4.5 cm) de crecimiento extraluminal, que comprometía la pared sin adherirse a otras estructuras; se realizó resección del tumor y anastomosis yeyuno-yeyunal. El estudio histológico -con inmunohistoquímica- del espécimen mostró que se trataba de un Tumor Estromal Intestinal (GIST), de riesgo intermedio, patrón histológico fusiforme, con escasas mitosis, dependiente de la capa muscular propia del intestino delgado. En conclusión el presente caso se trata de una mujer con un GIST yeyunal cuya presentación clínica fue una hemorragia de origen oscuro que constituyó un problema diagnóstico y que gracias al advenimiento de los nuevos procedimientos endoscópicos (enteroscopia y cápsula endoscópica) fue localizada y posteriormente extirpada quirúrgicamente.

We report the case of a woman of 84 years with a history of cardiac arrhythmia and hemorrhoids. She had multiple hospitalizations and transfusions for symptomatic iron deficiency anemia, endoscopic studies showed only small diverticula and colon polyps. He was later hospitalized with bloody stools red wines, upper endoscopy and colonoscopy showed gastritis, small colonic ulcers, colonic polyp and multiple diverticula. Readmitted with bleeding of obscure origin, on that occasion showed gastritis, antral erosions, small ulcers, colon polyps and colon ulcers in the process of healing, capsule endoscopy showed angiodysplasia in jejunum, anterograde enteroscopy detected some erythematous lesions in proximal jejunum without evidence of bleeding. Again hospitalized for melena and abdominal pain, upper endoscopy revealed gastric and duodenal angiodysplasia were treated. The last entry indicated a time of two years disease, the current episode with wine-red colored stools, Hb: 8.4 g, for which he received two units of PG. Endoscopy showed gastric angiodysplasia, which was treated with thermocoagulation (argon plasma). In the entrance examination showed no signs of hypovolaemic decompensation. Approached as a problem of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding were repeated several endoscopic examinations without results. She re-bled being hospitalized, capsule endoscopy was performed showing acute bleeding in the jejunum, complemented by new anterograde enteroscopy that showed ulcerated lesions of the jejunum, the area was marked with indian ink. Exploratory laparotomy was indicated. In the surgical intervention it was in edge antimesentérico of yeyuno, a round tumor (6x6 cm) of extraluminal growth, which compromised the wall without sticking to other structure, Resection of the tumor and jejuno-jejunal anastomosis was realized. The histological study with immunohistochemistry showed an Intestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST), intermediate risk, histological pattern fusiform, with scarce mitosis; the lesion was dependent on the muscularis propria of the small intestine. In conclusion, this case involves a woman with a jejunal GIST whose clinical presentation was hemorrhage of unknown origin which was a diagnostic problem and thanks to the advent of new endoscopic procedures (enteroscopy and capsule endoscopy) could locate the place of injury and subsequent surgery.

Clinical Significance of Colonic Diverticulosis Associated with Bowel Symptoms and Colon Polyp

This study was done to evaluate prospectively the clinical significance of colonic diverticulosis. In the 1,030 consecutive outpatients undergoing colonoscopy, the information on the demographics, the patterns of bowel symptoms, and the prevalence of colon polyp were analyzed according to the presence of colonic diverticulosis. The mean age of 1,030 patients were 52.2 yr and 59.3% were male. The prevalence of diverticulosis was 19.7% (203/1,030). Of 203 diverticulosis patients 85.2% were in proximal group, 5.4% in distal group and 9.4% in both group. Six (3.0%) patients were found to have diverticulitis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that an old age, diabetes and the presence of polyp were significant factors associated with proximal or both diverticulosis. A significant difference was demonstrated between the patients of distal diverticular group and the controls for the symptom frequency scores within the previous 4 weeks. The items, which showed difference, were hard stool, urgency, flatus, chest discomfort and frequent urination. In conclusion, old age, diabetes and the presence of colon polyp were associated with proximal diverticulosis. The temporal symptoms were more frequent in distal diverticulosis than in proximal diverticulosis in the study subjects.

Colonoscopia com polipectomia: análise crítica de fatores de risco e complicações / Colonic snare polipectomy: critical analysis of risk factors and complications

Objetivo: Analisar complicações de polipectomia com alça ditérmica em cólon. Pacientes e Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de polipectomias em colonoscopias realizadas em dois hospitais de 2001 a 2007. Teste t de Student foi usado para média, desvio padrão e qui-quadrado para números absolutos. P< que 0,05 foi considerado significativo. Resultados: Foram 1687 polipectomias em 8447 colonoscopias. Sangramento imediato em 24 (11,8 por cento) em pólipos maiores do que 2 cm contra 1 (0,07 por cento) em menores p<0,01. Somente 1, maior que 2 cm, (0,49 por cento) necessitou de cirurgia para controle do sangramento p<0,01. Sangramento tardio em 7 (3,4 por cento), todos maiores que 2 cm p<0,01. Perfuração em 6 (2.9 por cento), todas em cólon direito. Não houve necessidade de cirurgia. A idade foi 59,8±6,7 para sangramento imediato, 60±9,8 para tardio e 63,8±16,3 para os que não sangraram p>0,05. Síndrome pós-polipectomia em 6 (0,35 por cento). Ressecção fatiada somente em maiores que 2 cm, 89/116 (77 por cento) sésseis e 11/87 (13 por cento) pediculados p<0,01. Carcinoma invasivo em 40 adenomas maiores que 2 cm (19,7 por cento). Conclusão: Polipectomia com alça é segura, sangramento a complicação mais comum, relacionada ao tamanho da base. Perfuração vem a seguir. Ambas tem tratamento endoscópico prioritário.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate adverse events from snare polypectomy. Methods: We retrospectively analysed the rate of complications of 1687 snare polypectomies carried out in 8447 colonoscopies between 2001 and 2007 at two Medical Institutions. Student t test was used for statistical analysis of mean and chi-square to compare absolute numbers. A significant p-value was defined as < 0,05. Results: Of the 1687 colonoscopic polypectomies 203 were performed in polyps larger than 2 cm in diameter ( range 2-10 cm ). In this group 24 (11,8 percent) had immediate bleeding, against 1 ( 0,07 percent) smaller than 2 cm p<0,01. Only one, larger than 2 cm, needed surgery to control bleeding episod p<0,01. Delayed bleeding occurred in 6 (0,35 percent).None required surgery. The age group for bleeding post-polypectomy did not differ, being 59,8±6,7 for immediate bleeding, 60±9,8 for delayed and 63,8±16,3 for no bleeding p>0,05.Post-polypectomy syndrome occurred in 6 patients (0,35 percent). In polyps larger than 2 cm, piecemeal resection was performed more often in sessile than in pedunculated ones 89/116 ( 77 percent) versus 11/87 (13 percent) p<0,01. Invasive carcinoma was present in 40 adenoma larger than 2 cm (19,7 percent). Conclusion: Snare polypectomy is safe procedure, being bleeding the most common complication, related with polyp size mainly its base, treated most of the time endoscopically. Perforation being the next, treated too without surgery.

Clinicopathologic Study of Colorectal Polyps and Obesity in Korean Adults / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUD/AIMS: Obesity is a rising problem in industrialized countries. Numerous epidemiologic studies have shown a positive association between obesity and colorectal polyps. There are few studies investigating the association between colorectal adenomatous polyps and body fat composition in Korea. We tried to examine the relationship between body fatness and colorectal adenomatous polyps in health check-up subjects in Korea. METHODS: Six thousand seven hundred and six routine health check-up subjects, who visited our hospital between March 2002 and April 2005 and underwent distal colon examimation with sigmoidoscopy, were enrolled in this study. Among them, colonoscopy was done in 860 patients to evaluate the entire colon. We tried to reveal the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and size, location, number and histopathological type of polyps. BMI was used as an indicator of obesity. RESULTS: The mean value of BMI in total polyp-free group (23.8+/-2.9) was not different from that of the polyp group (24.5+/-2.8, p=0.09). The frequency of rectosigmoid polyps in obese patients (20.4%) was higher than that in non-obese patients (16.0%, p or =4) correlated well with obesity. Moreover, age and triglyceride level in patients with colonic adenoma were significantly higher than in patients without colonic adenom. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that obesity is not associated with colonic adenomatous polyp in Korean population. However, we observed that obesity may be associated with rectosigmoid colon polyps. Furthermore, age and triglyceride level might be the risk factors of colonic adenomatous polyps in Korean population.

A Case of Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome Showing Resolution with Helicobactor pylori Eradication and Omeprazole / 대한소화기학회지

We describe a 58-year-old woman who was incidentally found to have gastric and colonic polyposis, hypoalbuminemia, cutaneous hyperpigmentation and onychodystrophy (Cronkhite-Canada syndrome). Histology of polyps from the stomach showed features of juvenile or retention type (hamartomatous) polyps with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. The large pedunculated colonic polyps showed hamartomatous polyps with adenomatous component and polypectomy was performed. After the treatment with H. pylori eradication and omeprazole, the gastric polyposis, hypoalbuminemia and anemia regressed, and endoscopic polypectomy of gastric polyps were performed. After the continuous use of omeprazole for 14 months, the patient showed complete resolution of clinical features of Cronkhite-Canada syndome. The experience of this case suggests that eradication of H. pylori and proton pump inhibitor treatment might be considered in patients with gastric polyposis combined with Cronkhite-Canada syndome.

The Cavernous Hemangioma of the Colon Inducing Massive Hematochezia and Treated by Endoscopic Polypectomy / 대한소화기학회지

No abstract available

Clinical characteristics of colorectal polyp in Thai children: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: It was believed that more than 90 per cent of children with colorectal polyp had a single lesion, located in the rectosigmoid colon, therefore, sigmoidoscopy with polypectomy was the treatment of choice. After a wide use of pediatric colonoscopy, this concept has been changed. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This study was aimed to describe clinical characteristics of colorectal polyp in Thai children. Medical records of children with colorectal polyp were retrospectively reviewed. Comparison between polyposis coli and children with less than 5 polyps were also analyzed. RESULTS: There were 93 patients, 43 females and 50 males. The average age was 5.1 years. Lower GI bleeding and prolapse of rectal polyp comprised the two most common presentations, 93.5 and 39.8 per cent, respectively. The mean duration of symptoms was 5.6 months. Only 50.6 per cent had rectal polyp noted by digital examination. Investigations included sigmoidoscopy (n = 77), colonoscopy (n = 16), and barium enema (n = 16). Eight per cent of the cases had more than 5 polyps. Location of the polyps was noted in the rectosigmoid colon (88.2%), descending colon (4.3%), right-sided colon (4.3%), and pancolonic (3.2%). Of all the patients, 11.8 per cent had the polyp above the rectosigmoid region, whereas 50 per cent of those who underwent colonoscopy (n = 16) had the polyps noted proximal to this region. Older age, lower hematocrit, and more frequent right-sided polyps were significantly associated with polyposis coli (p < 0.05). Only 2 patients with polyposis coli were treated by colectomy. Histopathology included juvenile polyp (95%), inflammatory pseudopolyp (2.5%), and hyperplastic polyp (2.5%). CONCLUSION: Most of the children with colorectal polyp had juvenile polyp that is commonly found in the rectosigmoid colon. However, a significant number of patients had carrying polyps proximal to the rectosigmoid region, which would be easily missed by sigmoidoscopy. With the concern of malignancy change particularly in children with polyposis coli, routine colonoscopy should be considered as an initial investigation in children with colorectal polyp.

Polipectomía Endoscópica y manejo de los pólipos colorrectales malignos: experiencia de 20 años / Endoscopic polypectomy and management of malignant colorrectal polyps: Twenty-year experience

Introducción: La mayoría de los autores consideran que la polipectomía es el tratamiento adecuado para los pólipos con adenocarcinoma invasor y reservan la colectomía para casos seleccionados de acuerdo a diversos factores de riesgo. Objetivo: Evaluar nuestra eficacia en el manejo de los pólipos malignos, e identificar los posibles factores clínicos y patológicos relacionados con un pronóstico desfavorable luego de la polipectomía endoscópica. Pacientes y métodos: Se revisaron retrospectivamente las historias clínicas y se incluyeron los pacientes con pólipos nalignos extirpados endoscópicamente, entre marzo de 1981 y marzo de 2001. Los pólipos fueron clasificados como de bajo o alto riesgo. Los de alto riesgo debían tener uno o más de los siguientes factores: margen comprometido, grado III de diferenciación, nivel 4 de Haggitt, o invasión de los vasos linfáticos o venosos. Se definió como resultado adverso luego de la polipectomía, la presencia de cáncer residual y/o metástasis ganglionares en la pieza de colectomía, o la recurrencia local y/o distancia encontrada en el seguimiento. Se comparó la supervivencia a 5 años libre de recurrencia entre los pacientes tratados sólo con polipectomía y los colectomizados. Resultados: se incluyeron 24 pacientes. En 3 no pudo obtenerse ningún dato de la evolución. En los restantes el seguimiento osciló entre 2 y 191 meses (mediana: 56; media: 86,7 ñ 72,3 meses). El 12,5 por ciento de los pólipos fueron Grado III. Cuatro presentaban invasión linfovascular. El margen estaba comprometido en 7 (29 por ciento) casos. El nivel de invasión fue 4 en un sólo caso. Hubo 14 (58 por ciento) pólipos de bajo riesgo y 10 (42 por ciento) de alto riesgo. Sólo hubo 2 (8 por ciento) pacientes con resultado adverso y ambos tenían pólipos de alto riesgo, con más de una característica histológica desfavorable. A pesar de esto, la diferencia con los pólipos de bajo riesgo con respecto a la evolución no alcanzó significación estadística (p=0,16). Tampoco se halló diferencia entre un resultado adverso y la presencia de distintos factores de riesgo aislados. La supervivencia a 5 años libre de recurrencia no fue diferente entre los pacientes tratados por polipectomía sola (80,2 por ciento) y los que tuvieron polipectomía seguida de colectomía (83,3 por ciento) (p=0,74). Conclusión: El tratamiento de los pólipos de bajo riesgo por polipectomía endoscópica es seguro...

Intususcepción colocolónica por pólipo / Colonic intussusception by polyp

Presentamos caso clínico, en el que hubo desarrollo de intususcepción de ángulo esplénico de colon, en cuya génesis participó un pólipo colónico gigante, de tipo hiperplástico y que clínicamente se manifestó como obstrucción intestinal. La intusescepción intestinal en el adulto es un cuadro altamente infrecuente, aún más si la localización es colocolónica, siendo realizado el diagnóstico con mayor frecuencia en el intraoperatorio. En este caso, a pesar de contar con los exámenes de elección en que podría haberse identificado el mecanismo de la obstrucción intestinal, el paciente fue intervenido sin ser sospechada la intusescepción

Intususcepción intestinal del adulto / Adult's intestinal intususcepotion

Antecedentes: A diferencia de lo que sucede en el niño, la intususcepción intestinal del adulto es una patología de baja frecuencia y que obedece generalmente a una causa demostrable. Objetivos: Analizar las características clínicas, diagnósticas y terapéuticas de una entidad poco frecuente. Diseño: Descriptivo, observacional, retrospectivo. Material y método: Se presentan 14 casos de intususcepción intestinal tratados en el Hospital J. M. Penna de Buenos Aires y la Clínica Modelo de Lanús durante los últimos 10 años. Resultados: Seis pacientes pertenecieron al sexo masculino y ocho al femenino. El motivo de consulta fue un cuadro oclusivo completo en 8 casos (57 por ciento), episodios suboclusivos en 4 (29 por ciento), y abdomen agudo peritoneal en los 2 restantes (14 por ciento). Los cuadros oclusivos y peritoníticos fueron resueltos en la urgencia y el resto en forma electiva. El hallazgo intraoperatorio fue de invaginación ileocólica en 8 casos, ileoileal en 4 y colocólica en 2. En ningún caso se efectuó el diagnóstico preoperatorio de invaginación intestinal. Las operaciones efectuadas fueron 8 hemicolectomías derechas, 4 enterectomías parciales y 2 operaciones tipo Hartmann. La evolución fue favorable en todos los casos. Conclusiones: La intususcepción intestinal es de rara presentación en el adulto, y habitualmente lo hace como un abdomen agudo obstructivo. La radiología contrastada es el método clásico para su diagnóstico preoperatorio. En cuanto a su tratamiento, no debe demorarse la indicación de laparotomía dada la etiología mayoritariamente secundaria de ésta entidad

Non familial juvenile polyposis presenting as chronic intestinal obstruction.

Juvenile polyps are the commonest colonic polyps seen in children and present most often with rectal bleed. Intussusception is an extremely rare presentation in juvenile polyposis (JP) syndrome. This case highlights the rare association of ileo-colic intussusception with non-familial Juvenile Polyposis.

Significance of rectosigmoid polyp as a predictor of proximal colonic polyp

The association between rectosigmoid polyps and polyps in the more proximal colon is still a matter of debate, and the need for colonoscopy in patients with rectosigmoid polyps that are detected by flexible sigmoidoscopy is controversial. The aim of this study was to determine whether or not certain characteristics of rectosigmoid polyps are associated with the presence and characteristics of proximal colonic polyps. Seven hundred and twenty-eight patients who underwent total colonoscopy between October 1995 and June 1998 and who had colorectal polyps were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, familial adenomatous polyposis, or any advanced cancer were excluded. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of prevalence of proximal colonic polyps according to the patients age and sex, as well as the characteristics of rectosigmoid polyps, were calculated. Advanced adenoma was defined as an adenoma larger than 10 mm or an adenoma of any size with villous component, high-grade dysplasia or invasive carcinoma. Among 728 patients with colorectal polyps, 356 patients (48.9%) had polyps only in the rectosigmoid region, 193 patients (26.5%) had polyps only in the proximal colon, and 179 patients (24.6%) had polyps in both the rectosigmoid and proximal colon. In 535 patients with rectosigmoid polyps, the prevalence of proximal colonic polyps, neoplastic polyps and advanced adenomas were 33.4%, 27.3% and 2.9%, respectively. The prevalence of proximal colonic polyps in patients with rectosigmoid polyps was found to be significantly related to the male gender and elderly patients, in addition to the neoplastic histology of the rectosigmoid polyps. However, the prevalence of the proximal colonic polyps was not related to the size, number and shape of rectosigmoid polyps. In 179 patients with both rectosigmoid and proximal colonic polyps, the characteristics of proximal colonic polyps such as size, number and shape were similar to those of rectosigmoid polyps. We recommend total colonoscopic examination in all patients with rectosigmoid adenomas, regardless of the size, number, and shape, especially in elderly males.

Profile of lower gastrointestinal bleeding in children from a tropical country.

Eighty five children were evaluated endoscopically for recurrent lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. The male: female ratio was 2.4:1 with a mean age of 6 years (range 8 months to 2 years). After adequate bowel preparation endoscopic evaluation was done using olympus CF 101 colonoscope. Sedation was given only in two patients. Full length colonoscopy had been done in 16 cases only, to look for extent of disease in 8 cases and to ascertain site of bleeding when no lesion could be seen on sigmoidoscopy. Juvenile polyps were seen in 40 cases, amoebic ulcer in 20, solitary rectal ulcer in 4 and polyposis syndrome in 5 cases. Sigmoidoscopy alone could establish the diagnose in 76 cases. We conclude that flexible sigmoidoscopy alone is safe and adequate in ascertaining the cause of prolonged recurrent lower GI bleeding.