Jejunal telangiectasias as a cause of massive bleeding in a patient with scleroderma

Telengiectasias (arteriovenous malformations) can be seen in scleroderma th roughout the gastrointestinal tract, including the stomach, small bowel and colon. Massive gastrointestinal bleeding rarely results from these malform ations in scleroderma. The case of a patient presenting with severe jejunal bleeding secondary to telangiectasias with special regard to the managemen t is discussed. This case emphasizes the importance of endoscopic examinati on combined with mesenteric angiography in patients with scleroderma who pr esent with a high index of suspicion of telangiectasias as a source of blee ding.