Diagnosis and control of diverticular bleeding by arteriography and vasopressin infusion. A report of 2 cases.

Large-bowel bleeding usually arises from either angiodysplasia or colonic diverticula. Diverticular bleeding is more common in the right or the transverse colon, even though diverticula are more common on the left. Arteriography in these patients may identify the bleeding site, and in some cases vasopressin infusion controls the bleeding. Embolization of the large bowel is not recommended because of the danger of necrosis.