Dieulafoy's Lesion

Your Path

  • Dieulafoy's Lesion

Etiology

  • Sub-mucosal artery that develops for unclear reasons
  • Found most commonly in stomach, but can occur in esophagus, duodenum and colon

Symptoms

  • Acute, profound GI bleeding (typically upper)
  • Hematemesis and melena
  • As arterial, blood loss often quick and large
  • Can start and stop spontaneously

Physical Exam Findings

  • Can have unstable Vital Signs (tachycardia, hypotension)
  • Visible blood in vomitus
  • Melena, guiac +; rarely BRBPR (if very brisk UGIB)