Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding Due to Appendiceal Mucosal Erosion

Abstract

Acute lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage associated with the appendix is rare. We report on a 42-year-old male patient who presented with hematochezia from solitary appendiceal bleeding. The patient was admitted to our hospital with rectal bleeding, and abdominal computed tomography identified active contrast leakage in the distal portion of the appendix. During a subsequent urgent colonoscopy, active bleeding in the appendiceal orifice was identified. The patient was successfully treated with a laparoscopic appendectomy and hematochezia did not recur postoperatively. Microscopic examination revealed an eroded appendiceal mucosa, focal inflammatory infiltrates, and a normal submucosal vessel without evidence of vascular malformation. Key Words: lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage, appendiceal bleeding, appendix, erosion