Ischemic colitis as a manifestation of thrombotic microangiopathy following bone marrow transplantation

Intern Med. 2003 Dec;42(12):1228-32. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.42.1228.

Abstract

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a microvascular disorder characterized by platelet aggregation and hemolytic anemia. In the setting of bone marrow transplantation (BMT), ischemic colitis due to TMA is difficult to differentiate from acute graft-versus-host disease. We report a 32-year-old man who presented ischemic colitis due to TMA after unrelated BMT for myelodysplastic syndrome. He suffered from treatment-resistant bloody diarrhea, and died of renal failure and Aspergillus pleuritis on day 253 post-BMT. Autopsy revealed endothelial injuries of arterioles and ischemic changes in the intestines and kidneys. Clinical and pathological characteristics of ischemic colitis due to BMT-associated TMA are described.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia, Hemolytic / complications*
  • Anemia, Hemolytic / etiology
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Colitis, Ischemic / etiology*
  • Colitis, Ischemic / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Graft vs Host Disease / diagnosis
  • Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / complications*
  • Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / etiology
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
  • Male
  • Microcirculation / pathology
  • Thrombosis / complications
  • Thrombosis / etiology*