Enteroscopy in the diagnosis of melanoma metastases

Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2020 Sep;112(9):735-736. doi: 10.17235/reed.2020.6820/2019.

Abstract

We present abdominal computed tomography and enteroscopy images of a 48-year-old male patient with a previous melanoma who presented with epigastric pain. The pain was not controlled with medical management. Abdominal computed tomography and a histological study of biopsies form enteroscopy confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic melanoma. The gastrointestinal involvement of melanoma is usually metastatic. Symptomatic gastrointestinal involvement occurs in less than 5% of melanomas, although postmortem analyses have reported up to 70%. The clinical presentation is variable and usually presents as abdominal pain. The diagnosis of small intestinal involvement of melanoma is a challenge due to its poor accessibility. The enteroscopy has a fundamental role as it allows a direct visualization and biopsies to be taken for histological study.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal
  • Humans
  • Laparoscopy*
  • Male
  • Melanoma* / diagnostic imaging
  • Melanoma* / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed