The Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon of Dieulafoy's Lesion

Case report: Endoscopic Hemoclip treatment for massive hematemesis caused by a Dieulafoy's lesion on duodenal papilla caused acute pancreatitis

Background

Dieulafoy's lesion is an uncommon cause of hemorrhage of the digestive tract. It often presents with urgent and massive bleeding usually leading to shock, even death. Dieulafoy's lesions have been reported throughout the digestive tract but which occurred on duodenal papilla were particularly rare and presented challenges in the choice of hemostasis.

Case presentation

A 66-year-old man with melena for 2 days was admitted. Gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed blood clots covering the duodenal papilla with oozing blood. During the procedure of trying to place a plastic stent into the duodenal papilla first, the hemorrhage began to present pulsating bleeding. The patient went into shock. With consent, two titanium clips were inserted to clamp the bleeding site to stop the bleeding. The patient complained of epigastric pain 14 h after the endoscopy. An abdominal CT scan showed signs of acute pancreatitis. Endoscopy was performed to remove the titanium clips and showed a vessel stump on the duodenal papilla. The patient was discharged from the hospital on the 14th day and followed for 6 months with no recurrence.

Conclusion

This case was diagnosed with a Dieulafoy's lesion on the duodenal papilla, which has rarely been reported. Hematemesis was stopped by clamping the vessel stump with titanium clips but caused acute pancreatitis. Reviewing the treatment, electrocoagulation might be a better choice, and life support treatment, including central vena catheterization and an adequate supply of blood products, should be prepared in advance to provide extra time for the stent placement or vascular intervention treatment.

Massive gastrointestinal bleeding caused by a Dieulafoy’s lesion in a duodenal diverticulum: A case report

BACKGROUND

Dieulafoy’s lesion is a rare vascular abnormality characterized by a small abnormally dilated artery that runs a tortuous course in the submucosa. There is usually no ulcer present in Dieulafoy’s lesions and the overlying mucosa is most often normal. Bleeding caused by a Dieulafoy’s lesion is usually urgent, massive, life-threatening and prone to recurrence. Dieulafoy’s lesions have been reported throughout the digestive tract although the majority of them have been found in the upper digestive tract especially the stomach and duodenum. However, a Dieulafoy’s lesion occurring inside a duodenal diverticulum is very rare.

CASE SUMMARY

A 74-year-old Asian male with epigastric pain, hematemesis and melena was admitted to our clinic. Before admission, the patient had vomited 500 mL of dark red blood, and passed 200 g of black tarry stool. Conservative management was first undertaken as the patient had not been fasting. However, hemorrhage recurred and the patient went into shock. Urgent endoscopy was performed and a diverticulum of 1.8 cm × 1.2 cm × 0.8 cm was found on the anterior wall of the descending duodenum. The diverticulum was covered with a blood clot. After the clot was removed, an artery stump was observed in the diverticulum with a diameter of 2-3 mm. Two titanium hemostatic clips were inserted to clamp the vessel stump. The patient was discharged 7 d post-endoscopy and followed for 6 mo with no recurrence.

CONCLUSION

This case was diagnosed with a Dieulafoy’s lesion inside a duodenal diverticulum which has rarely been reported. Hematemesis was stopped by clamping the vessel stump with titanium clips. No complications occurred.