Colonic varices. Report of a case

Abstract

A 14-year-old girl who had colonic bleeding caused by colonic varices is described. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, radiography of the small and large bowel, and vascular studies of the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries and the portal vein were all reported to be normal. Submucosal varices, however, were identified colonoscopically in relation to the hepatic flexure and the sigmoid colon. Dilatation of subserosal right colonic vascular channels was identified at operation. Right hemicolectomy was performed and there has been no further bleeding. No obvious mesenteric arteriovenous communications were identified histologically.