A rare case of duodenal angiodysplasia-a case report

J Surg Case Rep. 2023 Apr 13;2023(4):rjad138. doi: 10.1093/jscr/rjad138. eCollection 2023 Apr.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal bleeding can be manifested as a variety of symptoms and, often, it is difficult to classify as upper or lower gastrointestinal bleeding on mere symptomatology. This is a case report of a similar kind of patient who initially was diagnosed with fresh per rectum bleeding, subsequently diagnosed as bleeding angiodysplasia in duodenal diverticulum by a series of investigations and management including urgent oesophageal-gastroduodenoscopy (OGD), laparotomy, followed by computerized tomography-angiogram. As diagnosis was established after laparotomy, the patient was kept intubated and IR selective embolization was performed. Keeping this case report in view, it can be suggested that bleeding vascular malformation in any part duodenum should be considered as a cause of massive upper GI bleeding. Furthermore, if operative intervention is indicated, it should be preceded by OGD, not only for a therapeutic purpose but also as an adjunct for guidance for the operative plan.

Keywords: emergency embolization; intestinal angiodysplasia; operative intervention in GI bleed; upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB).

Publication types

  • Case Reports