Idiopathic colonic varices: case report and review of literature

Abstract

Introduction: Colonic varices represent a very rare entity, either an incidental finding at colonoscopy or discovered due to its complication, the lower gastrointestinal bleeding. The most common cause of colonic varices is portal hypertension associated with liver disease or secondary to pancreatic conditions, like chronic pancreatitis or malignancies. The incidence of colonic varices is very low, even in liver cirrhosis where the patients frequently develop varices in the upper gastrointestinal tract, but surprisingly uncommon present with varices localized in the colon.

Case presentation: We report a case of idiopathic colonic varices, diagnosed at a routine colonoscopy performed for nespecific abdominal disturbances in a female patient without liver disease or pancreatic conditions responsible for portal hypertension development.

Conclusions: The development of colonic varices in the absence of a certain trigger represents a major issue for practitioners due to its major complication, lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

Keywords: Colonic Varices; Colonoscopy; Portal Hypertension.

Figure 1.. Extensive Colonic Varices.

Figure 2.. A) Angiography of inferior mesenteric artery: normal arterial phase. B) Angiography of inferior mesenteric artery: venous phase with blood stagnation suggestive for sigmoid varices.