[Multiple intestinal hemangioma: report of two cases]

Hemangioma of the small intestine is a rare disease which is sometimes very difficult to diagnose because of its anatomical location. This report concerns two cases of multiple intestinal hemangiomas treated surgically. The first case was a four-year-old boy who suffered from recurrent abdominal pain and progressive hemorrhage from the gastrointestinal tract for four months. The character of his abdominal pain was non-specific. On physical examination, whole abdominal tenderness was evident. Serial laboratory and radiological examinations, including abdominal sonogram, barium enema, Tc-99m pertechnetate scan, upper gastrointestinal series failed to reveal abnormality. Multiple intestinal hemangiomas were found at exploratory laparotomy. The second case was a new-born suffering from fetal ascites. Abdominal sonogram, barium enema, voiding cystourethrography were performed without significant findings, and the diagnose of multiple intestinal hemangiomas was proved by laparotomy. In both, symptoms improved after segmental resection of the bowels. The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to the possibility of intestinal hemangioma as a source of recurrent abdominal pain, tarry stool or ascites in children.