[Colonic varices: an unusual cause of occult blood loss]

A man aged 81 known to suffer from atrial fibrillation - the treatment for which included acetylsalicylic acid - and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was hospitalized because of a respiratory infection. Since he had iron deficiency anaemia and the case history mentioned "intestinal bleeding', supplementary examinations were carried out. Endoscopy revealed colonic varices; because of the absence of portal hypertension and other disorders related to colonic varices, the varices were classified as idiopathic. In view of the extensiveness of the lesions, it was decided to refrain from endoscopic sclerotherapy and to adopt an expectative policy.