Acquired ileal diverticulum: an unusual bleeding source

Acquired ileal diverticulum is an uncommon condition and diagnosis is often difficult when bleeding occurs from this source. Here we describe two case s of ileal diverticulum with massive bleeding. Both patients presented with anal bleeding, but upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy did not reve al the source. Selective, visceral angiography finally detected bleeding le sions in the terminal ileum. Surgical resection was performed in both patie nts, confirming that the bleeding arose from diverticula less than 1 cm in size. In patients:with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, an ileal divertic ulum should be considered, and selective visceral angiography should be per formed for precise diagnosis.