Colonic variceal bleeding in a patient with mesenteric venous obstruction due to an ileal carcinoid tumour.

ABSTRACT

Colonic varices are a recognized cause of rectal bleeding in portal hypertension. We report here a patient who presented with melaena several months after resection of an ileal carcinoid tumour. Subsequent colonoscopy for continued episodes of rectal bleeding demonstrated extensive colonic varices. In the absence of portal hypertension, the varices appeared to be related to mesenteric venous obstruction. The management of bleeding colonic varices, in these circumstances, is discussed.