A Rare Case of Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Appendiceal Dieulafoy's Lesion.
Tao Liu, Chi Ma, Jiamin Xu et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 43-year-old man with a history of heavy alcohol use presented with multiple episodes of hematochezia and upper abdominal discomfort. Initial medical management failed, leading to hemodynamic instability. Imaging revealed bleeding in the ileocecal region, and colonoscopy confirmed persistent bleeding from the appendiceal orifice. An emergency laparoscopic appendectomy was performed, revealing an appendiceal Dieulafoy's lesion. The patient recovered without complications during follow-up.
What made this case unusual
The case illustrates the rapid progression and atypical presentation of an appendiceal Dieulafoy's lesion, which is rarely identified as a source of lower gastrointestinal bleeding.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should consider appendiceal Dieulafoy's lesion in cases of unexplained lower gastrointestinal bleeding, especially when initial treatments are ineffective.
Why it matters
This case underscores the importance of timely imaging and endoscopy in diagnosing atypical sources of gastrointestinal bleeding.