Recently, cases of colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB) in elderly individuals have
significantly increased [1 ]. Effective management of CDB is crucial, as severe cases may require transarterial
embolization (TAE) or surgery, which can be life-threatening for elderly patients
with multiple comorbidities [2 ]. Given the invasiveness of surgery and TAE, minimally invasive treatments, such
as endoscopic hemostasis, are preferable, especially for elderly patients. However,
traditional endoscopic methods may sometimes fail to reach the bleeding site, necessitating
alternative approaches. Here, we report a case of recurrent CDB in a 91-year-old woman
who was treated successfully by a novel approach using a single-balloon-assisted endoscopy
and endoscopic band ligation.
The patient initially presented with hematochezia due to CDB in the ascending colon.
Endoscopic hemostasis was attempted, but the colonoscope could not be inserted into
the bleeding
site, so TAE was performed. Three months later, she was readmitted with massive hematochezia
and
signs of hemorrhagic shock. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed extravasation
in the
ascending colon ([Fig. 1 ]). Given the previous difficulty in total colonoscopy, we opted to use single-balloon
endoscopy to facilitate the insertion of the colonoscope into the bleeding site. A
band ligation
device was attached onto the endoscope to enable endoscopic hemostasis on the spot
once the
bleeding site was identified ([Fig. 2 ], [Fig. 3 ]). This approach allowed us to reach the bleeding diverticulum in the ascending colon,
where we successfully performed band ligation to stop the bleeding ([Fig. 4 ], [Fig. 5 ]; [Video 1 ]).
Fig. 1 Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed extravasation in the ascending colon
(arrow).
Fig. 2 Devices used in endoscopic band ligation via single-balloon endoscopy. The colonoscope
(PCF-PQ260L; Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) had an outer diameter of 9.2 mm, an effective
length of 1680 mm, and no water-jet function. A band ligation device (MD-48709U; SB-Kawasumi
Laboratories, Inc., Kanagawa, Japan) and a disposable sliding tube with a balloon
(ST-SB1, Olympus) were attached to the endoscope.
Fig. 3 Devices used to clean the colon during colonoscopy. A water jet pump was connected
to the irrigator (BioShield irrigator; US Endoscopy, Mentor, Ohio, USA) (arrow).
Fig. 4 Endoscopy using underwater observation showed a diverticulum with active bleeding
(arrow).
Fig. 5 Colonic diverticulum treated with endoscopic band ligation.
Endoscopic hemostasis of colonic diverticular bleeding using single-balloon endoscopy
and endoscopic band ligation in a patient with difficult total colonoscopy.Video 1
After treatment, the patient experienced no rebleeding or complications and was discharged
in stable condition. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of balloon-assisted
endoscopy and endoscopic band ligation in managing CDB with difficulty in total colonoscopy,
offering an alternative to more invasive treatments in frail and elderly patients.
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