Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal bleeding of obscure origin accounts for less than 5% of gastrointestinal hemorrhages. It is typically difficult to diagnose due to limited accessibility through standard endoscopic techniques and generally requires a significant number of procedures to reach a diagnosis. The "blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome" is a rare condition, of a probably hereditary origin, characterized by the presence of multiple hemangiomatous lesions, which can manifest as gastrointestinal bleeding of obscure origin. These lesions are generally nodular, rubbery to the touch, and have a submucosal appearance, primarily affecting the skin and gastrointestinal tract. We present the case of a 72-year-old male who was investigated for iron deficiency anemia with upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopies conducted on two occasions, without revealing any findings that could explain the condition. Subsequently, a study with video-capsule endoscopy was performed, which revealed multiple submucosal and vascular lesions, measuring between 3-5 mm, located in the distal duodenum and jejunum, consistent with "Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome".