Superior mesenteric vein stenosis complicating Crohn's disease

Background-Superior mesenteric vein stenosis as a consequence of mesenteric fibrosis, causing the development of small bowel varices, is an unrecognis ed association of Crohn's disease. Case reports-Two cases of gastrointestinal bleeding occurring in patients w ith Crohn's disease, acid a third case, presenting with pain and diarrhoea, are described. In all three patients, visceral angiography showed superior mesenteric vein stenosis with dilatation of draining collateral veins in t he small bowel. Overt gastrointestinal bleeding or iron deficiency anaemia resulting from mucosal ulceration is common in Crohn's disease, but acute o r chronic bleeding from small bowel varices as a result of superior mesente ric vein stenosis due to fibrosis has not previously been reported.