A Rare Case of Life-Threatening Bleeding Caused by a Jejunal GIST

Abstract

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours (GISTs) are rare mesenchymal tumours that are specific to GI tract. GISTs usually associated with advanced age and have a slight male preponderance. GISTs are commonly found in stomach. Jujunal GISTs are the rarest and account for about 0.1-3% of all GI tumours [1]. The most common clinical manifestation of symptomatic GISTs includes intermittent bleeding due to mucosal ulceration. Massive, life threatening gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a rare occurrence. We report a rare case of bleeding Jejunal GIST in a 32-year-old female who presented with haemorrhagic shock that required resuscitative laparotomy. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the tumour to have features of GIST with clear margins and post-operative cross-sectional imaging excluded any metastatic deposits.