An unusual cause of lower gastrointestinal bleeding

Abstract

Acute lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding refer to blood loss of colon origination. The cause of lower GI bleeding may include vascular (ulcer, angiodysplasia, ischemic, or radiation), anatomic (diverticulum), inflammatory (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease), infectious, or neoplastic. Mesenteric venous thrombosis is responsible for 5% to 15% of all mesenteric ischemic events, and the involvement of the inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) is rare. A 70‐year‐old man who presented with episodes of bloody diarrhea. Colonoscopy revealed diffuse hyperemic changes in the rectum and sigmoid colon. A contrast‐enhanced computed tomography showed diffuse, circumferential wall thickening of the descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum as a result of thrombosis in the IMV. Anticoagulant was administered and there was no further bloody diarrhea. Mesenteric venous thrombosis is a rare cause of lower GI bleeding. However, it may be kept in mind in high risk populations such as malignancy, prothrombotic states, inflammatory bowel disease, recent abdomen injury or surgery, and diabetes mellitus.