Massive digestive hemorrhage in typhoid fever. A case report]

In a case of massive intestinal haemorrhage during typhoid fever the bleeding area was located by angiography to the superior mesenteric artery, and excision of the ileo-colonic junction was performed. Pathological study of the lesions showed necrosis of Peyer's plaques resulting in section of small submucosal arterioles. The necrosis itself was caused by initially endothelial lesions, later completed by thrombosis. The complication is exceptional. This case is reported in order to draw attention to the usefulness of mesenteric arteriography and the effectiveness of surgery in massive intestinal haemorrhages.