Abstract

BACKGROUND: Colonic varices are rare entity that often results from portal vein hypertension and hepatic cirrhosis. In the absence of underlying pathology, they are termed “idiopathic colonic varices”. They are usually an incidental finding; however, they can present with varying degrees of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. There is only one reported case in the literature of colonic varices with a concomitant colonic tumor; our patient is the second one with such a presentation. We report a case of this rare combination with the outcomes of the elected surgical management and review the literature.

CASE REPORT: A 24-year-old male was referred to our hospital with a 1-month history of colicky abdominal pain. His family history is remarkable of 2 relatives with colonic varices. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis showed a hepatic flexure colonic mass. Colonoscopy revealed pancolonic varices. Biopsy from the lesion revealed adenocarcinoma. Options were discussed with the patient to undergo only a right hemicolectomy for his cancer or a total colectomy to include the colonic segment involved with varices, and he elected the first option, with no complications upon 1 year follow up.

CONCLUSIONS: Idiopathic pan-colonic varices are rare pathology. Their presence with colonic tumor presents a dilemma as to whether a subtotal/total colectomy is needed on the premise that a limited resection may carry the risk of subsequent bleeding. In the literature, the only similar case to ours had brisk postoperative bleeding, while ours did not experience such a complication.

Keywords: Colon, Ascending, Colonic Neoplasms, Colorectal Neoplasms, Adenocarcinoma, Colectomy, Colon, Incidental Findings, Varicose Veins, young adult