Work

It Runs in the Family: A Rare Case of Familial Idiopathic Colonic Varices

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Colonic varices (CV) remain an extremely rare condition, the usual cause of which is portal hypertension due to liver disease, chronic pancreatitis or malignancy. Here we present a case of familial idiopathic CV in a middle-aged female, complicated by a polyp removal during colonoscopy. Case presentation: A 57-year-old female with a past medical history of 5 months of melena, polyps and hemorrhoids diagnosed with idiopathic CV during diagnostic colonoscopy. She had no prior history of liver disease, pancreatic disease, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) use, or blood thinner use. She was later found to have a family history of the condition. Conclusion: The rarity of this case is of particular concern for clinicians due to its life threatening complication of severe lower gastrointestinal bleed - a true medical emergency. This is particularly difficult in the absence of usual predisposing triggers. Differential diagnoses should be considered in patients that present with rectal bleeding of unknown cause.

Source: Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives

DOI: 10.55729/2000-9666.1473

Authors: Rakahn Haddadin, Ozoemena Akah, Maryam Ameen, George Trad, John Ryan, Hatim Gemil

Institutions: HCA Healthcare, Ross University School of Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Gastrointestinal Bleeding Diagnosis and Treatment

Subfield: Gastroenterology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $500