A pre-hospital team is managing a 50-year-old male with a severe lower GI haemorrhage presenting as large-volume fresh rectal bleeding (haematochezia)...

Question

A pre-hospital team is managing a 50-year-old male with a severe lower GI haemorrhage presenting as large-volume fresh rectal bleeding (haematochezia). He is tachycardic at 130 bpm and hypotensive at 80/50 mmHg. What is the most common cause of massive lower GI haemorrhage in adults?

Accepted Answer

Diverticular disease - diverticular bleeding is the most common cause of massive lower GI haemorrhage in adults; it is typically painless and self-limiting but can cause life-threatening haemorrhage

Answer

Colorectal carcinoma - tumours always cause massive bleeding

Answer

Inflammatory bowel disease - always presents with massive bleeding

Answer

Haemorrhoids - they are the most common cause of all rectal bleeding

Answer

Ischaemic colitis - the most common cause in the elderly

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): Massive Lower GI Haemorrhage

A pre-hospital team is managing a 50-year-old male with a severe lower GI haemorrhage presenting as large-volume fresh rectal bleeding (haematochezia). He is tachycardic at 130 bpm and hypotensive at 80/50 mmHg. What is the most common cause of massive lower GI haemorrhage in adults?