Myelofibrosis and angiodysplasia of the colon: another manifestation of portal hypertension and massive splenomegaly?
Bleeding owing to portal hypertensive colopathy, a form of large bowel angiodysplasia, as a cause of increased blood transfusion requirement is described in a 74 year old man with idiopathic myelofibrosis. The proposed mechanism and the potential therapeutic options for this rare complication of myelofibrosis are discussed.
Biss
T
T
Department of Haematology, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, UK. tbiss@dsl.pipex.com
Hamilton
P
P
D000368:Aged; D016888:Angiodysplasia / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D003106:Colon; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D055728:Primary Myelofibrosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy