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. 1978 Dec 16;2(6153):1685–1687. doi: 10.1136/bmj.2.6153.1685

Colonoscopy for unexplained rectal bleeding.

E T Swarbrick, D I Fevre, R H Hunt, B M Thomas, C B Williams
PMCID: PMC1608963  PMID: 310702

Abstract

Two hundred and thirty-nine patients underwent colonoscopy for unexplained rectal bleeding. Local anorectal conditions were excluded by digital and proctosigmoidoscopic examinations and results of barium studies were negative for all patients. A cause for bleeding was found in 95 patients. Thirty-nine had adenomatous polyps, 24 had unrecognised inflammatory bowel disease, and most importantly 23 (10% of series) had carcinomas. Forty patients had diverticular disease, but nine of them were found to have an adenomatous polyp and four a carcinoma. Colonoscopy can contribute positively to the investigation and treatment of unexplained rectal bleeding and may prevent unnecessary laparotomy.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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