Splenic vein obstruction: a cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Isolated splenic vein obstruction may lead to bleeding from gastric varices. The condition is rare, the varices may be difficult to demonstrate and therefore the diagnosis often is delayed. This is illustrated by an example of a 79-year-old man who had intermittent melena for two years before the diagnosis was made. Following splenectomy there was no bleeding.