Bleeding colonic varices controlled by propranolol.

A 64-year-old man with hepatic cirrhosis developed severe haemorrhage from oesophageal varices. He underwent a course of sclerotherapy injections which successfully obliterated the oesophageal varices and prevented further oesophageal bleeding. He later developed serious bleeding from a site in the region of the ascending colon; angiography and radionuclide imaging suggested that varices were present in that region. Therapy with oral propranolol was effective in preventing any recurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding.