Vascular malformation of the jejunum presenting as obscure gastrointestinal haemorrhage: detection with multidetector CT angiography

Lal H, Neyaz Z, Singh RK, Mohindra S
Correspondence: Dr Zafar Neyaz, zafarneyaz@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT
Vascular malformation of the small bowel is an uncommon cause of gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Phlebectasia or venous ectasia is a rare benign vascular anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract. We report a 39-year-old Egyptian man presenting with multiple jejunal phlebectasia, liver haemangioma and port-wine naevus. Despite recurrent melaena, the results of various routine investigations, including repeated endoscopic procedure, were negative. The site and aetiology of bleeding was detected using multidetector computed tomography angiography (MDCT) and was further confirmed by double-balloon enteroscopy. This report emphasises the potential of MDCT angiography in the diagnosis of small intestine lesions presenting as obscure bleeding.

Keywords: jejunum, MDCT angiography, obscure gastrointestinal haemorrhage, phlebectasia, vascular malformation
Singapore Med J 2010; 51(6): e103-e106