Bleeding duodenal varices demonstrated by transhepatic portography. Report of a case misinterpreted as Bleeding duodenal Ulcer.

Bleeding duodenal varices are a rare complication of portal hypertension. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding from other sources than varices is common in patients with cirrhosis. Most often the bleeding is misinterpreted as bleeding from duodenal ulcer, and the diagnosis is first apparent during emergency operation. From our experience with a case of bleeding duodenal varices we suggest that the diagnostic procedure of choice is percutaneous transhepatic portography.