Total colonic supply via the inferior mesenteric artery.

PURPOSE: To present a unique case of vascular supply to the gastrointestinal organs as anatomical variants have variable clinical implications and must be recognized to avoid adverse outcomes.

METHODS

Describe the embryological origin of vascular supply of gastrointestinal organs and present a few variants described in the literature.

RESULTS

On angiogram, patient was found to have total colonic supply via the inferior mesenteric artery. This is a rare anatomical variant which altered management in this child with massive lower gastrointestinal bleed due to sacral neuroblastoma metastasis and mucormycosis colitis.

CONCLUSION

Vascular anatomic variants have clinical implications that can alter management.