An unusual cause of lower gastrointestinal haemorrhage.
A previously unreported cause of lower gastrointestinal haemorrhage in a 63-year-old female patient on clopidogrel for cardiac comorbidities is presented. Endoscopy suggested a small bowel or colonic aetiology but failed to accurately localise the source. The patient became haemodynamically unstable despite conservative management and temporary cessation of clopidogrel. CT angiography demonstrated a pseudoaneurysm arising from the superior rectal artery. Percutaneous embolisation using coils was performed to successfully occlude the pseudoaneurysm, prevent further haemorrhage and avoid emergency colonic resection.
General Surgery Department, Barnet Hospital, London, UK. a.janmohamed@doctors.org.uk
Azara
A
Janmohamed
Lizanne
L
Noronha
Ashish
A
Saini
Colin
C
Elton
D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000150:complications*; D001158:Arteries; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012007:Rectum / Q000098:blood supply*