How is Ischemic Colitis Diagnosed?
Ischemic colitis is difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are usually similar to inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis [4] and Crohn’s disease [5].
To diagnose IC, your doctor will first ask you about your medical history before ordering various diagnostic tests. Diagnostic tests for IC may include:
- An ultrasound or CT scan: This will help your doctor view images of your blood vessels and intestines.
- A mesenteric angiogram: This is an imaging test that involves using X-rays to view inside your arteries and check the location of the blockage.
- Your doctor may also order a blood test to check if your white blood cell count is high. If your WBC count [6] is high, it may indicate acute IC.
- Stool analysis: This test is usually done to confirm if your symptoms are caused by infection.