Incidental massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage caused by a rectal Dieulafoy’s lesion

Abstract

A Dieulafoy’s lesion is a rare cause of massive gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. It represents an abnormally dilated submucosal artery that erodes the overlying epithelium in the absence of a primary ulcer. These lesions are usually located in the stomach, nevertheless, they have been found in all areas of the GI tract, including the oesophagus, duodenum and colon. Bleeding episodes are often self-limited, although bleeding can be recurrent and profuse. The case describes a 50-year-old woman who developed haemorrhagic shock secondary to a rectal Dieulafoy’s lesion and discusses the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.