Successful laparoscopic surgery combined with selective arterial embolization for bleeding due to jejunal angiodysplasia: a case report

Jejunal Angiodysplasia as an Unusual Cause of Hemorrhage After Hepaticojejunostomy

Ectopic variceal bleeding is a rare cause of postoperative hemorrhage following hepaticojejunostomy and should be differentiated from other causes such as pseudoaneurysms or ulcers. Uncommon complications post-hepaticojejunostomy demand scrupulous attention, and this case report reveals a seldom-documented scenario of jejunal angiodysplasia as an elusive cause of postoperative bleeding. Through a comprehensive examination of the patient's clinical trajectory, diagnostic challenges, and subsequent management, this report contributes to the expanding knowledge base on atypical vascular complications in surgical settings.

Jejunal angiodysplasia: surgery can be life-saving - a case report

Introduction

Angiodysplasia, a rare cause of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, presents a spectrum of clinical manifestations from anemia to life-threatening hemorrhage. This case study emphasizes the significance of considering intestinal vascular malformations as a differential diagnosis, especially in the context of chronic anemia and GI bleeding. Jejunal angiodysplasia, though infrequent, poses diagnostic challenges due to the hidden nature of the small bowel in the GI system.

Case presentation

A 23-year-old male presented with acute hematochezia and melena, necessitating prompt intervention. Despite a normal esophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy was hindered, CT angiography could not be performed due to the patient's unstable condition, leading to a planned exploratory laparotomy. Surgical exploration revealed a mucosal vascular lesion in the jejunum, prompting resection, and anastomosis. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, reinforcing the importance of swift diagnosis and intervention.

Clinical discussion

Angiodysplasia's pathogenesis remains unclear, with hypotheses implicating vascular endothelial growth factor and submucosal changes. Challenges in management revolve around lesion localization and stabilizing hemodynamics, necessitating a multidisciplinary approach. While endoscopy is often diagnostic and therapeutic, advanced modalities such as CT angiography may be required. Literature review highlights diverse presentations and successful interventions, including embolization and surgical resection.

Conclusion

Jejunal angiodysplasia demands a comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic strategy. The presented case underscores the pivotal role of endoscopy, embolization, and surgery in managing this condition. Timely diagnosis and intervention are crucial for mitigating the impact of angiodysplasia, necessitating further research and collaborative efforts for improved management of this rare condition.

Thermal and Magnetic Dual-Responsive Catheter-Assisted Shape Memory Microrobots for Multistage Vascular Embolization

Catheters navigating through complex vessels, such as sharp turns or multiple U-turns, remain challenging for vascular embolization. Here, we propose a novel multistage vascular embolization strategy for hard-to-reach vessels that releases untethered swimming shape-memory magnetic microrobots (SMMs) from the prior catheter to the vessel bifurcation. SMMs, made of organo-gel with magnetic particles, ensure biocompatibility, radiopacity, thrombosis, and fast thermal and magnetic responses. An SMM is initially a linear shape with a 0.5-mm diameter at 20 °C inserted in a catheter. It transforms into a predetermined helix within 2 s at 38 °C blood temperature after being pushed out of the catheter into the blood. SMMs enable agile swimming in confined and tortuous vessels and can swim upstream using helical propulsion with rotating magnetic fields. Moreover, we validated this multistage vascular embolization in living rabbits, completing 100-cm travel and renal artery embolization in 2 min. After 4 weeks, the SMMs maintained the embolic position, and the kidney volume decreased by 36%.

Massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding in a young postpartum lady: A management dilemma

Introduction: Lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding secondary to bleeding colonic angiodysplasia in a young population is rare. The prevalence of angiodysplasia in healthy asymptomatic adult was 0.8% and increases in elderly population, chronic renal failure, pulmonary disease, aortic stenosis, and von Willebrand disease. Aim: We are reporting a case of a young, postpartum woman who presented to us with massive lower GI bleeding secondary to bleeding angiodysplasia. Angiodysplasia is rare in this group of patients, making the detection and treatment challenging. Case study: A fit 25-year-old woman presented with type IV hypovolemic shock due to massive lower GI bleeding on postpartum day 15. Emergency colonoscopy was attempted with no evidence of active bleeding detected until splenic flexure. The patient was rushed to the operation theatre for exploratory laparotomy due to unstable condition. Segmental colonic clamping was performed and due to persistent blood pooling at different segments throughout the colon, subtotal colectomy and end ileostomy were performed. Patient recovered well post-operatively. Results and discussion: Physiological changes during pregnancy may has aggravated the risk of bleeding in GI angiodysplasia. Following resuscitation, a lesion causing lower GI bleed can be identified and treated with a variety of endoscopic procedures, radiological and surgical interventions. In our case, the role of surgery comes in place due to massive life-threatening lower GI bleeding not responding to resuscitation. Conclusions: Postpartum gastrointestinal bleeding from multiple colonic angiodysplasia is rare. It poses a challenge in diagnostic and treatment strategies. A timely individualized intervention either via endoscopy, interventional radiology or surgery is crucial and life-saving.