Case report: fatal bleeding from a duodenal ulcer-Dieulafoy's lesion?

Int J Legal Med. 2022 Jan;136(1):203-208. doi: 10.1007/s00414-021-02721-w. Epub 2021 Oct 19.

Abstract

A 46-year-old man was admitted to the hospital by ambulance due to syncope. A standard blood screening showed a normal Hb value. The man had known hemorrhoids and a single fresh rectal bleeding earlier at home. On the following morning, the patient suddenly required resuscitation within a few minutes and subsequently died. Autopsy revealed a fatal hemorrhage with blood loss in the stomach and small and large intestines and a mucosal defect of the duodenum. After autopsy, the question arose whether the cause of death might have been a rare Dieulafoy's lesion-aim of this case report was to clarify the diagnosis.

Keywords: Dieulafoy’s lesion; Duodenal ulcer; Fatal hemorrhage; Gastrointestinal bleeding; Large caliber vessel.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Duodenal Ulcer* / complications
  • Duodenum / pathology
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / pathology
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Rectum / pathology