Bleeding cecal typhoid ulcer. Value of emergency angiography for selective surgical hemostasis.

A case of bleeding cecal typhoid ulcer in a 22-year-old patient demonstrated by superior mesenteric arteriography is described. An attempt to stop hemorrhage using intraarterial vasopressin infusion, failed. However, arteriography proved helpful in locating the bleeding site, and in permitting conservative surgery, namely cecal ulcer suture to achieve hemostasis. On the basis of this case and a review of the literature, management of complicating hemorrhage resulting from typhoid fever is discussed, with particular reference to radiological procedures.