CAVERNOUS HEMANGIOMA OF THE DUODENUM - A RARE CAUSE OF GASTROINTESTINAL-BLEEDING

Vascular malformations (VMs), including haemangioma, of the upper gast rointestinal tract, are rare causes of bleeding. Bleeding from these l esions is often recurrent and diagnosis is often delayed for months to years. A patient with severe, recurrent upper gastrointestinal bleedi ng requiring repeated hospitalization and blood transfusions is presen ted. Upper endoscopy, barium meal and small bowel enteroclysis were ne gative. Selective mesenteric angiography revealed a VM in the second p art of the duodenum. Segmental resection of the duodenum was performed and microscopical examination showed cavernous haemangioma. VM should be considered in patients with recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding an d negative conventional investigations. Mesenteric angiography may be the only investigation which will identify these lesions. Results afte r excision are excellent.