Colonic varices due to intestinal cavernous hemangiomas

Colonic varices are an unusual cause of rectal bleeding. Occurring most often in the setting of portal hypertension, colonic varices have also been linked to congenital vascular lesions. One such vascular lesion, the cavernous hemangioma, is rarely found in the bowel. We report a patient with cavernous hemangiomas involving skin, lower extremities, and gastrointestinal tract, who presented with chronic rectal bleeding from colonic varices. The progression of his hemangiomatous lesions over an 18-year course is documented. The association of colonic varices and hemangiomas of the bowel is discussed.