Diffuse idiopathic varices in the colon characterized by lower gastrointestinal bleeding
Seçkin Akküçük, Akın Aydoğan, İlhan Paltacı, Muhiyittin Temiz
Department of General Surgery, Mustafa Kemal University Faculty of Medicine, Hatay, Turkey
Abstract
Colon varices are very rare lesions that usually present as secondary to portal hypertension. Idiopathic colon varices are even rarer, and should be considered especially in the etiology of massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Forty-five year old male presented to our hospital with complaints of recurrent rectal bleeding for one week and severe anemia. The patient was transfused with 4 units of blood. His colonoscopy revealed diffuse submucosal varices. The tests performed for investigation of etiology did not reveal any portal pathology. The patient did not experience another episode of active bleeding during follow-up and was discharged with conservative recommendations. Idiopathic colon varices are rare but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with massive rectal bleeding. Conservative approach is first line of treatment, reserving segmental or total colectomy only for ongoing hemorrhage.
Keywords: Rectal bleeding, colon varices, idiopathic
Written informed consent was obtained from patient who participated in this case.
Externally peer-reviewed.
Concept - S.A.; Design - S.A., A.A.; Data Collection and / or Processing - İ.P., M.T., S.A.; Analysis and / or interpretation - S.A., A.A., İ.P., M.T., Literature Review - S.A., A.A.; / Writer - S.A., A.A., Critical Review - M.T.
No conflict of interest was declared by the authors.
The authors declared that this study has received no financial support.