Inferior mesenteric arteriovenous fistula associated with portal hypertension and acute ischemic colitis. Successful occlusion by intraarterial embolization with steel coils.

The authors report a case of postoperative arteriovenous fistula between the inferior mesenteric vessels. This fistula was revealed by portal hypertension, with bleeding esophageal varices, ascites, and encephalopathy, and by acute ischemic colitis. Histologic examination of the liver was normal. All of the symptoms disappeared after transcatheter embolization of the fistula with stainless steel coils. This case report favors the reality of the so-called "forward" portal hypertension and suggests that inferior mesenteric arteriovenous fistula might be a factor predisposing to nonocclusive ischemic colitis.