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Massive Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding From Idiopathic Ileocolonic Varix: Report of a Case

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Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Idiopathic varices of the entire colon are very rare. We report on a 64-year-old patient with massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage from an extensive ileocolonic varix. Diagnosis was established by colonoscopy. The patient underwent an emergency ileocolectomy with satisfactory results. This rare case shows the importance of colonoscopy in the evaluation of patients with lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage and reminds us that sometimes the diagnosis is not what we expect. Recognition of this abnormality is important because varices may be the cause of massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gastroenterology Department, Hospital Geral Santo António, Porto, Portugal

    Luís M. Lopes M.D., José M. Ramada M.D., José M. Soares M.D., Jorge Areias M.D., Ph.D. & Carlos Pinho M.D.

  2. Radiology Department, Hospital Geral Santo António, Porto, Portugal

    Manuela G. Certo M.D. & Manuel Ribeiro M.D.

  3. Pathology Department, Hospital São João, Porto, Portugal

    Pedro R. Pereira M.D.

  4. Gastroenterology Department, Hospital Geral Santo António, Largo da Escola Médica, 4099-001, Porto, Portugal

    Luís M. Lopes M.D.

Authors
  1. Luís M. Lopes M.D.
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  2. José M. Ramada M.D.
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  3. Manuela G. Certo M.D.
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  4. Pedro R. Pereira M.D.
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  5. José M. Soares M.D.
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  6. Manuel Ribeiro M.D.
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  7. Jorge Areias M.D., Ph.D.
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  8. Carlos Pinho M.D.
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Correspondence to Luís M. Lopes M.D..

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Lopes, L.M., Ramada, J.M., Certo, M.G. et al. Massive Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding From Idiopathic Ileocolonic Varix: Report of a Case. Dis Colon Rectum 49, 524–526 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10350-005-0279-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10350-005-0279-2

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