Presurgical angiographic localization of small bowel bleeding site with methylene blue injection.

The source of gastrointestinal hemorrhage is found in 94-95% of patients who undergo radiologic and/or endoscopic examinations of the upper or lower bowel. However, the exact presurgical localization of small bowel bleeding sites, which account for the other 5-6%, remains diagnostically difficult. We describe a previously reported and uncommon but useful angiographic technique used in conjunction with surgery which assists in this localization.