[Massive lower digestive hemorrhage caused by colonic ulcers secondary to cholesterol embolism]

Cholesterol crystal embolization has been considered an unusual entity with poor short term prognosis. However, it is an underestimated complication according to post-mortem findings. Patients have quite characteristic risk and precipitating factors which may be an aid to suspect the diagnosis. Gastrointestinal bleeding of different severity occurs in only 10% of patients with visceral embolization. We present the case of a patient with massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to several ulcerations in the hepatic flexure due to bowel cholesterol embolization.