Protein-Losing Enteropathy and Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

Abstract

Excessive protein loss from the gastrointestinal tract has been associated with over 40 primary gastrointestinal disorders, as well as with a variety of systemic conditions.1The patient described below manifested protein-losing enteropathy and gastrointestinal bleeding due to a primary mesenchymal tumor in the mesentery. This tumor had a prominent vascular component which involved the small intestine. Protein-losing gastroenteropathy is uncommon in combination with gastrointestinal hemorrhage; furthermore, we believe that this combination of findings had not previously been reported. Patient Summary A 34-year-old Negro man first noted progressive weakness and nervousness in January 1961. Anemia and gastrointestinal bleeding subsequently were detected and related to a duodenal ulcer. This was treated conservatively; however, recurrence of hemorrhage one year later resulted in a 75% subtotal gastrectomy. Postoperatively, anemia and intestinal bleeding persisted; therefore, in August 1962 an exploratory celiotomy was performed. This revealed an irregular tumor, thought to be matted lymph nodes,