[Hemangiomatosis of the small intestine with profuse bleeding]

Emergency laparotomy was performed in a 61-year-old man because of melena. The reason for the bleeding was intestinal hemangiomatosis with multiple, small, dark tumours in two segments of the small intestine. The patient restituted completely after resection of the two affected intestinal segments. Microscopy showed submucosal cavernous hemangiomas. A review of the literature revealed that this condition is rare. Five previous Norwegian reports (1917-1964) are summarized in order to illustrate the substantial variations with regard to location, clinical course and pathological anatomical changes.