Journal of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases & Disorders

Dieulafoy's Lesion-like bleeding of the Ileum- Iatrogenic or Traditional Lesion?

Abstract

Kowsika SS1, and Madhira MS2

Dieulafoy's lesion is an aberrant submucosal arteriole that erodes through the overlying mucosa in the absence of an ulcer. They are a rare cause of gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage and can cause rapid blood loss. Dieulafoy's lesions are usually located in the upper GI tract along the lesser curvature of the stomach or duodenum. However, lesions in other areas of the GI tract including post-surgical bowel, have also been found. Angiogenesis at the anastomotic junctions can sometimes lead to the formation of Dieulafoy's -like lesions. A very high index of suspicion is needed to establish the diagnosis of such lesions.