Bloody diarrhea in an elderly patient Lawrence J. Brandt  Gastroenterology  Volume 128, Issue 1, Pages 157-163 (January 2005) DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2004.11.021 Copyright © 2005 American Gastroenterological Association Terms and Conditions

Figure 1 Colonoscopic photographs show the evolution of ischemic injury to the colon. This 58-year-old woman on hormone-replacement therapy developed the sudden onset of bright red blood per rectum followed by bloody diarrhea. (A) View of the colon at the time the patient was passing blood shows subepithelial hemorrhage and a thumbprint lesion. Thumbprinting is a radiologic term used to describe the radiolucent asymmetric indentations on the barium column from subepithelial hemorrhage and edema; the colonoscopic analog appears as purplish-red, cherry-like, or plum-like nodules or masses. (B) Repeat colonoscopy approximately 4 days later reveals the mucosa to have ulcerated (ischemic colitis). (C) The colon returned to a normal appearance by 1 month after the initial passage of red blood. Gastroenterology 2005 128, 157-163DOI: (10.1053/j.gastro.2004.11.021) Copyright © 2005 American Gastroenterological Association Terms and Conditions