Diffuse idiopathic colonic varices presenting with lower gastrointestinal bleeding in an elderly patient : a case report and review of the literature
Unknown Author(s)
Abstract
<p><strong>We report a case of lower gastrointestinal bleeding caused by </strong></p> <p><strong>idiopathic colonic varices. A 74-year-old woman presented with </strong></p> <p><strong>rectal bleeding. Colonoscopy revealed numerous varices of the </strong></p> <p><strong>entire colon, which, after an extensive work-up, proved to be idio</strong></p> <p><strong>pathic. No specific therapy or transfusions were required and </strong></p> <p><strong>there has been no further bleeding to date (follow-up 10 months). </strong></p> <p><strong>Review of the literature demonstrates that diffuse idiopathic </strong></p> <p><strong>colonic varices are a rare cause of lower gastrointestinal bleeding, </strong></p> <p><strong>especially as the first presentation in an elderly patient. </strong>(Acta</p> <p>gastroenterol. belg., <strong>2006</strong>, 69, <strong>15-19</strong>).</p>
