Chronic pancreatitis with a pseudocyst may cause acute massive intestinal bleeding due to simultaneous erosion of the splenic artery and transverse colon. This is a potentially lethal complication, which requires instant diagnosis and treatment. The pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of this condition are illustrated by two patients. Exact localisation of the source of bleeding is achieved by selective angiography of the visceral arteries. In shocked and inoperable patients, selective embolisation of the bleeding artery is the treatment of choice.