ArterioVenous Malformation within Jejunal Diverticulum: an unusual cause of massive gastrointestinal bleeding

Acquired Gastric Dieulafoy-Like Lesion due to Aberrant Blood Supply Diverted From the Left Phrenic Artery to an Enlarged Splenule

Dieulafoy lesion is an aberrant submucosal vessel that can erode into the overlying tissue leading to hemorrhage. It is a rare but important cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. We present a case of a patient who developed an acquired Dieulafoy lesion 39 years after splenectomy. Abdominal computed tomography showed an aberrant vessel from a branch of the left phrenic artery, coursing through the gastric fundus to supply a splenule. Angiography with embolization of the aberrant vessel resulted in no further bleeding.

Arteriovenous malformations within jejunal diverticulosis: case report and literature review

Background

Jejunal diverticula are the rarest of all small bowel diverticula. Most patients with jejunal diverticula are asymptomatic. Major complications include diverticulitis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, intestinal obstruction and perforation. The hemorrhage has been attributed to diverticulitis with ulceration, diverticulosis associated with trauma and irritation disorder. However, only six cases reported the arteriovenous malformations within jejunal diverticulosis to be the cause of hemorrhage.

Case presentation

We present a case of arteriovenous malformations within jejunal diverticulosis in a 68-year-old male presented with lower gastrointestinal bleeding. After admission and stabilization, upper and lower endoscopies were performed without demonstrating the bleeding site. They only revealed clotted and red blood throughout the colon. Technetium-labeled red blood cell bleeding scan, endoscopic capsule, and selective angiography were performed to localize the site of bleeding without significant findings. As the clinical status of the patient deteriorated, exploratory laparotomy was performed urgently. Extensive jejunal saccular pouches were found 10 cm distal to duodenojejunal junction extending 1.6 m distally. Segmental resection was performed with side to side primary anastomosis. Microscopic examination of the specimen revealed many diverticula. He was followed up 2 years after that without complications.

Conclusion

We report yet the seventh case jejunal diverticulosis with the presence of angiodysplasia, in hope of expanding the knowledge of a rare occurrence and increasing the demand for further research about the etiology, clinical impact and treatment of such anomalies coexistence. This case also highlights the importance of considering the diagnosis of AVMs within jejunal diverticulosis in the presence of uncontrollable blood loss in the pre- or intra- operatively diagnosed jejunal diverticulosis and the urgent need for surgical intervention. In addition, the diagnostic tests should be performed close to the bleeding episode.

Catastrophic intraoperative bleeding due to congenital extrahepatic porto-systemic shunt anomaly: A surgical case report of two rare anomalies

INTRODUCTION

Abernethy malformations are extremely rare congenital anomalous portosystemic shunts. We report the case of a patient with a rare variant Abernethy malformation between the superior mesenteric vein and left renal vein, associated with a massive jejunal diverticulum.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 37-year-old Caucasian female presented to our emergency department with severe abdominal pain and proceeded to laparotomy for a presumed small bowel obstruction. At laparotomy she was found to have a massive diverticulum at the duodeno-jejunal junction, which was intimately associated with a venous malformation and the anomalous portosystemic shunt. Whilst mobilising the diverticulum, the patient developed catastrophic haemorrhage from the malformation. The patient underwent a complicated post-operative course however was eventually stabilised.

DISCUSSION

We discuss the anatomy and pathophysiology of anomalous portosystemic shunts and propose an embryological origin for our patients' anomalies.

CONCLUSION

Abernethy malformations are rare however may be associated with other intra-abdominal pathology and extreme caution is required when operating on these patients.

Diagnosis and management of jejunoileal diverticular hemorrhage: a decade of experience

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features and management of jejunoileal diverticular hemorrhage at Changhua Christian Hospital over the past decade.

METHODS

A retrospective study on the clinical features, treatment and outcomes of the patients with jejunoileal diverticular hemorrhage diagnosed from January 2000 to December 2010 was conducted.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients (male to female ratio 15:13) were enrolled in the study with a mean age of 73.9 years. Symptoms consisted of bloody stool (46.4%), tarry stool (82.1%), coffee ground vomitus (7.1%) and shock (39.3%). The mean duration of hospital stay was 13.5 days and the mean blood transfusion volume was 13.5 units. Eight patients (28.6%) underwent surgical resection, 9 (32.1%) received endoscopic therapy and 11 (39.3%) were administered conservative therapy. Five patients (17.9%) had recurrent bleeding during the follow-up. Two patients (7.1%) died eventually.

CONCLUSIONS

The management of jejunoileal diverticular hemorrhage has mainly been nonsurgical at our institution over the past decade. The decreased requirement of surgical intervention might be attributed to the improvement of diagnostic and treatment procedures during this period.

Application of double-balloon enteroscopy in jejunal diverticular bleeding

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic diagnosis and therapy for jejunal diverticular bleeding.

METHODS: From January 2004 to September 2009, 154 patients underwent double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Ten consecutive patients with jejunal diverticula (5 males and 5 females) at the age of 68.7 ± 2.1 years (range 19-95 years) at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Academic Tertiary Referral Center, were enrolled in this study.

RESULTS: Of the 10 patients, 5 had melena, 2 had hematochezia, 2 had both melena and hematochezia, 1 had anemia and dizziness. DBE revealed ulcers with stigmata of recent hemorrhage in 6 patients treated by injection of epinephrine diluted at 1:10 000, Dieulafoy-like lesions in 4 patients treated by deploying hemoclips on the vessels, colonic diverticula in 2 patients, and duodenal diverticula in 3 patients, respectively. Of the 2 patients who underwent surgical intervention, 1 had a large diverticulum and was referred by the surgeon for DBE, 1 received endoscopic therapy but failed due to massive bleeding. One patient had a second DBE for recurrent hemorrhage 7 mo later, which was successfully treated with a repeat endoscopy. The mean follow-up time of patients was 14.7 ± 7.8 mo.

CONCLUSION: DBE is a safe and effective treatment modality for jejunal diverticular bleeding.