Massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage cecal ulcers and salmonella colitis

A 65-year-old man presented with massive lower gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage. Minimal changes were noted on sigmoidoscopy, no bleeding lesions were identified on arteriography or red blood cell scan, and barium enema examination demonstrated only diverticular disease and minimal cecal deformity, interpreted as secondary to a recent appendectomy. Colonoscopy demonstrated multiple deep cecal ulcers. These were presumed to be due to an infectious etiology, since the stools were culture-positive for Salmonella typhimurium. The hemorrhage stopped within 24 hours of treatment with Ampicillin, Flagyl, and Gentamicin. The patient has remained well over a 12-month follow-up period. Repeat colonoscopy demonstrated healing of the cecal ulcers and there was also clearing of the Salmonella from the stools. This case report serves to remind us of the different methods used to diagnose lower gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage, and the importance of considering infectious causes of colitis.