title: Bleeding anorectal varices: successful treatment with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting (TIPS).
abstract: A patient with severe recurrent rectal bleeding from anorectal varices due to portal hypertension because of hepatitis C virus related liver cirrhosis is presented. As illustrated by the report, it is essential to differentiate bleeding anorectal varices from bleeding haemorrhoids because treatment is different. In our patient, implantation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) led to an impressive regression of the anorectal varices, which could be demonstrated by sigmoidoscopy, endosonography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Recurrent rectal bleeding in a patient with portal hypertension should alert the physician to consider anorectal varices. Endoscopic ultra-sound and magnetic resonance imaging are new and non-invasive modalities for diagnosis and post-treatment control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Fantin
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zala
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Risti
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Debatin
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schöpke
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meyenberger
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011170:Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D012007:Rectum / Q000098:blood supply*; D012008:Recurrence; D015607:Stents; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology