The Silent Bleeder: A Case of Recurrent Hemorrhage From a Dieulafoy’s Lesion

TL;DR

A 75-year-old woman with a rare GI condition called Dieulafoy’s lesion experienced recurrent bleeding, which was eventually diagnosed and treated with endoscopic hemoclips.

Contribution

This paper presents a rare clinical case emphasizing the diagnostic challenges and effective treatment of Dieulafoy’s lesion.

Findings

Dieulafoy’s lesion can present with nonspecific symptoms and intermittent bleeding, making it difficult to diagnose.

Endoscopic intervention with hemoclips successfully controlled the bleeding in this case.

Early recognition of the condition is critical to prevent severe complications.

Abstract

Dieulafoy’s lesion is a rare but potentially life-threatening cause of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. We report the case of a 75-year-old woman with a history of transient ischemic attack (TIA), hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), who presented with dizziness, nausea, and abdominal pain. Initial evaluations revealed progressive anemia, though no source of bleeding was identified on imaging, nor were there external signs of bleeding. Endoscopy later confirmed an actively bleeding Dieulafoy’s lesion, which was successfully treated with hemoclips. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of Dieulafoy’s lesion due to its intermittent bleeding and nonspecific presentation. Endoscopic intervention remains the first-line treatment, and early recognition is crucial to prevent life-threatening complications.

Figures