Cat scratch colon

Background: Bright red linear marks in the right colon are occasionally seen but have never been described in the medical literature. We have termed this finding ”cat scratch” colon.

Methods: This was a prospective examination of 8277 colonoscopies at a single endoscopy center in a private practice setting. All cases of cat scratch colon were biopsied, and the results read by two pathologists.

Results: A total of 21 cases of cat scratch colon were identified, all in the ascending colon and cecum, with a prevalence of 0.25 %. The majority of cases were in women. Although the colon was histologically normal in most cases, there was a significantly higher proportion of collagenous colitis in patients with cat scratch colon compared with the total cohort (14 % vs. 0.15 %).

Conclusions: The prevalence of bright red linear markings (cat scratch colon) in the cecum and ascending colon is 0.25 %. These markings appear to be superficial breaks in the mucosa possibly secondary to barotrauma. Patients tend to be older women with higher proportion of collagenous colitis.

References

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• 2 Felig D M, Brand M H, Vender R J. Unexpected right colon bleeding on colonoscopy.  Gastrointest Endosc. 1996;  44 471-473
• 3 Cruz-Correa M, Milligan F, Giardiello F M. et al . Collagenous colitis with mucosal tears on endoscopic insufflation: a unique presentation.  Gut. 2002;  51 600