Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome: a case report with long-term follow-up

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome is an uncommon condition manifested by gastrointestinal and skin hemangiomas that lead to gastrointestinal bleeding and anemia. The purpose of this report is to present a case with long-term follow-up. The patient is a 37-year-old female with a life-long history of blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome. She underwent multiple resectional operations that combined to give her a partial gastrectomy, partial small bowel resection, total abdominal colectomy, and end ileostomy. She continues to need endoscopy with sclerotherapy. In addition, she has iron-deficiency anemia, nephrolithiasis, major depression, and malnutrition despite vitamin and caloric supplements. There are no other reports showing these complications of blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome or with this length of follow-up. Therapy for blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome should be conservative if possible, because operative therapy may lead to significant long-term complications.