Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome: an unusual cause of intestinal bleeding in the elderly

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (or Bean syndrome) is a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. Only three cases have been reported in the elderly [1] [2] [3].

A 70-year-old man was hospitalized for recurrent and severe digestive bleeding for one month. He had recently undergone coronary stent surgery requiring antiplatelet and anticoagulant treatments, leading to lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and severe anemia. Daily blood transfusions were required. Oeso-gastro-duodenal endoscopy and colonoscopy were normal. A small bowel capsule endoscopy showed many ectasia of the vessels along the small bowel with active and diffuse bleeding, suggesting blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome ([Fig. 1, ] [Video 1]). Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan and multiphase CT enterography showed arteriovenous malformations in the jejunum and ileum without active bleeding. However, they were too numerous to be treated by endoscopic coagulation. Radiological embolization was not possible because of the serious risk of mesenteric ischemia.

Fig. 1 Capsule endoscopy shows many blue angiodysplasias along the jejunum.

Video 1 Diagnosis and management of a small-bowel blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome.

We decided to perform an exploratory laparotomy in conjunction with an intraoperative endoscopy of the small bowel. We observed many transparietal angiodysplasias along 3 meters of the small bowel starting at the angle of Treitz ([Fig. 2]). The ileum seemed to be free of these lesions. The intraoperative enteroscopy confirmed that there were no lesions in the ileum and 100 arteriovenous malformations in the jejunum with some active bleeding. We decided to perform an extensive bowel resection, removing the entire jejunum and keeping about 180 cm of ileum, with a handsewn end-to-end anastomosis between the proximal jejunum and the ileum. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 12.

Fig. 2 Exploratory laparotomy shows many transparietal angiodysplasias along the small bowel. Most of them are blue, but some are yellowish.

The pathological analysis identified flat and polypoid blue and yellowish lesions in the submucosa ([Fig. 3]). The microscopic aspect revealed hemangiomatous and lymphangiomatous components ([Fig. 4]). Six months later, the patient was well, with stable hemoglobin and no recurrent GI bleeding.

Fig. 3 Macroscopic view shows flat and polypoid submucosal lesions. Most of them are blue, but some are yellowish.

Fig. 4 Microscopic analysis of benign angiodysplasias with hemangiomatous and lymphangiomatous components.

This case demonstrates the need for a combined endoscopic and surgical approach to treat extensive jejunal blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome.

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Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

• References

• 1 Aron J. et al. An unusual cause of gastrointestinal bleeding in a haemodialysis patient. Hemodial Int 2018; 22: E60-E62
• 2 Gião AntunesAS. et al. Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome: a delayed diagnosis. GE Port J Gastroenterol 2017; 24: 101-103
• 3 Baker AL. et al. Gastrointestinal bleeding due to blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome. A case diagnosed by angiography. Gastroenterology 1971; 61: 530-534

Publication History

Article published online:
05 March 2021