Cholesterol crystal embolization to the digestive system: characterization of a common, yet overlooked presentation of atheroembolism

In the 1359 published patients with multiorgan cholesterol crystal embolism (CCE), the digestive system seems to be the third most frequently affected system. Yet, this system received hitherto only little attention in the medical literature. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to clinically characterize the subset of patients with CCE involving the digestive system, based on our institutional experience and a review of the literature. Cases with CCE in a 7-yr period (1995–2001) were sought in the computerized records of our medical center. Of the CCE patients, those with digestive system involvement that could be related to CCE were included in this study. The clinical features of CCE were determined and compared with those found in published series. Fourteen cases with CCE were identified, giving an annual incidence of 0.8 per 10 5. Digestive system involvement was found in five (36%) of the 14 patients. All five patients had established atherosclerosis. Precipitating factors were vascular manipulations or anticoagulation treatment in four of these five patients. Two patterns of disease appeared: acute catastrophic multiorgan disorder with poor prognosis and chronic and more indolent GI disease. Abdominal pain, GI bleeding, fever, and diarrhea were the most common manifestations, resulting from bowel infarction, mucosal ulcerations, hepatocellular liver disorder, and/or pancreatitis. CCE is a systemic disorder with a frequent involvement of the digestive system and protean clinical manifestations. It should, therefore, be considered in any gastroenterological patient with atherosclerosis and recent vascular manipulations or systemic anticoagulation.