Diffuse colonic varices: an uncommon cause of intestinal bleeding.

Varices of the colon are uncommon and when present they are usually segmental. The cause of these segmental varices is usually portal hypertension. Diffuse variceal involvement of the colon is even more uncommon and up until now the two cases described in the literature have had an idiopathic etiology. We describe herein the third such case, while pointing out that the diffuseness implies an unknown cause.