Arteriovenous fistula of the external iliac vessels : a rare cause of massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding

Acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding may be a diagnostic challenge for physicians and surgeons. Oesogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy and angiography are established tools to localize and eventually treat the bleeding source. We report herein the case of a patient with three episodes of massive rectal bleeding due to an arteriovenous fistula of the external iliac vessels which was managed successfully by angiography with embolization and stenting. Arteriovenous fistula of the external iliac vessels : a rare cause of massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding