This appeared to be an anomalous AVM as evidenced by early filling of an associated vein on arterial phase. Also notable was the finding of replaced left and right hepatic arteries. Given the CTA Daporinad cell line findings, he was referred for angioembolization. During this procedure, the visualized fourth jejunal branch from the superior mesenteric artery appeared to give rise to the AVM seen on CTA (Figure 2). This was cannulated distally with a super-selective 2.7 Fr microcatheter, but the lesion was not selleck products amenable to embolization given robust collateralization. The decision was made to leave the micro-angiocatheter in-situ to facilitate intraoperative identification of
the small intestinal AVM. The sheath and catheter were secured at the groin entry site, 2500 units of heparin were administered intravenously and the patient was transported directly to the operating
theater. Figure 1 CTA – Coronal reconstruction with a slab of 1 cm. Abnormal vessel (AVM) (arrow) from a small jejunal branch of SMA. Figure 2 Transfemoral angiography – selective injection of 4th jejunal branch through a 2.7 Fr microcatheter. A limited midline incision was utilized to gain access into the peritoneal cavity and expose the small intestine. Two mL of dilute methylene blue were then injected via the super-selective angiographic microcatheter, immediately staining a 10 cm segment of the distal jejunum and corresponding mesentery (Figure 3). A segmental small bowel resection was performed. The patient had an unremarkable post-operative course and pathology demonstrated ACP-196 manufacturer angiodysplasia in the small bowel segment with clean margins. At 6 month telephone follow-up the patient is doing well and denies
any further episodes of melena. Figure 3 Intraoperative demonstration of methylene blue staining of affected small bowel segment containing the AVM. Discussion Obscure GI bleeding has been defined as buy 5-FU bleeding which persists or recurs after upper and lower endoscopy and radiographic evaluation of the small bowel. Comprising up to 5% of cases of GI bleeding with 75% of them localizing to the small intestine [9], these patients may require multiple blood transfusions and be subject to a battery of repeat diagnostic studies before definitive diagnosis is accomplished. The most likely etiologies are broken down by age group. In patients younger than 40, the most likely lesions include Meckel’s diverticulum, inflammatory bowel disease, or a small bowel tumor such as a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), lymphoma, carcinoid, polyp or adenocarcinoma. In contrary, patients older than 40 are most likely to have bleeding from vascular anomalies, erosions or NSAID-related ulcerations. Overall, vascular lesions comprise 40% of all causes [10].