[Bleeding into the intestinal wall during anticoagulant therapy. Diagnosis using sonography and computerized...

As a complication of anticoagulant treatment, intramural intestinal bleeding occurred in two patients. The diagnosis was made by ultrasound. This showed an abnormally broad, echo-sparing circular structure as a sign of a thickened intestinal wall as well as an echo-rich centre, corresponding to the stenosed intestinal lumen. Since the halo (or target) sign is also seen in neoplasms, occlusion of the mesenteric arteries or inflammatory disease of the intestines, bleeding can be confirmed by measuring the density by computed tomography. Serial ultrasound examination can objectify the course and surgical intervention may be avoided.