Ileal Dieulafoy Lesion: a rare case report

Abstract Background Dieulafoy lesion, also known as calibre persistent artery is a rare cause of massive GI bleeding. It’s an abnormal sub-mucosal artery protruding from a minute mucosal defect (≤3 mm). Commonest location is in proximal stomach while occurrence in small intestine, especially ileum is extremely rare. Case presentation A 26 year old female presented with lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Preliminary investigations failed to locate the exact source of bleed. At laparotomy, an ulcerated nodular lesion, approximately 0.8 cm in diameter was identified in distal ileum. Histology revealed it to be Dieulafoy lesion. Conclusion Although uncommon, ileal dieulafoy is one of the causes of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding that could result in treacherous and life-threatening gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Hence, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of active GI bleeding. The definitive diagnosis is based only on histopathology.