Multidisciplinary team approach for treating recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding caused by a Dieulafoy lesion

Abstract

Abstract A Dieulafoy lesion is a histologically normal arteriole whose lumen diameter persists along the entire wall of its end organ. They are reported to account for 1% to 2% of all gastrointestinal bleeds. The etiology is largely unknown, with some reports of lesions in children suggesting a congenital origin (Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2010;92(7):548–554). Mortality rates are approximately 10% compared with the previous rate of 80%, and this is attributed to the vast advancement in endoscopic techniques. This case highlights the need for multidisciplinary team approach to the assessment and management of these patients and investigation with the breadth of modalities available. The potential for open operative intervention by emergency surgical teams needs to be identified early in cases where minimal access measures are unable to gain definitive control.