Art in Endoscopy: “Bleeding art”

Fig. 1 Bleeding Art.

On Christmas Eve, we performed a colonoscopy in a 50-year-old woman because of a change in bowel habits. Her medical history was unremarkable. She did not use any medication. Introduction to the cecum was uncomplicated. Upon withdrawal, a 15 mm pedunculated polyp was seen 30 cm from the anus, and it was decided to carry out polypectomy using a 2 cm loop with blend coagulation. The polypectomy went smoothly. However, as soon as the polyp came loose, the field of view was colored red by a fulminant spurting, arterial bleeding. For a moment our attention was drawn to the amazing spectacle that unfolded before us. The arterial vessel can be seen at bottom right with reflections of the endoscope light on the spraying blood. The bleeding was quickly stopped by injection of diluted adrenalin, followed by coagulation of the wound bed.

Jan F. Monkelbaan and Hendrikus J. M. Pullens, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands

“Art in Endoscopy” is an initiative of four gastroenterologists in training that aims to display examples of the incidentally beautiful images that are sometimes encountered in regular endoscopic practice.

Publication History

Article published online:
25 November 2020