Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding resulting from small bowel neoplasia; A case series

Undiagnosed gastrointestinal bleeding may originate in the small bowel. This presents a diagnostic challenge despite the advancement in contemporary imaging. We report two cases which highlight the limitations of routine investigation for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.

Patient A presented with a history of rectal bleeding, treated with interventional embolisation of caecal angiodysplasia. A diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumour (NET) was reached two years after presentation following intraoperative right hemicolectomy resection of a presumed recurrent angiodysplastic bleed. Patient B presented with recurrent melaena labelled as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) induced gastritis. After multiple endoscopic and radiological investigations, a 4.5 cm mass was visualised on imaging after three years, which was histologically proven as gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) of the small bowel. Both patients experienced a delayed diagnosis despite multiple investigations and careful follow-up.

Our case series discusses the benefits and limitations of investigation for gastrointestinal bleeding and suggests a need for continued multidisciplinary input in situations where the patient presumed diagnosis remains in question.

OGIB remains a diagnostic challenge and is attributable to small bowel pathology in 75% of cases. This suggests a need for continued investigation in situations where the patient presents multiple times despite adequate treatment for the presumed underlying condition.