Colonic varices. Report of an unusual case diagnosed by radionuclide scanning, with review of the literature.
We report a patient who developed recurrent massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding after successful obliteration of esophageal varices by sclerotherapy. A radionuclide study was very helpful in establishing diagnosis of the lesion responsible, a varix in the cecal area. Bleeding subsided after creation of a portacaval anastomosis. The literature pertaining to colonic varices is reviewed.
D002432:Cecum / Q000098:blood supply; D003106:Colon / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012008:Recurrence; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*