Rectal bleeding secondary to fecal disimpaction: angiographic diagnosis and treatment

Two cases of bleeding caused by manual disimpaction of fecal material are presented. Angiography played a critical role in the diagnosis and treatment. One case was managed with balloon tamponade, and the other was successfully treated by selective intra-arterial vasopressin infusion, after prior intravenous infusion had been ineffective. A history of fecal disimpaction should suggest the possibility of low rectal bleeding which can be diagnosed and treated angiographically.