Jejunal variceal rupture in a patient with myelofibrosis: a case report

An 80-year old man with myelofibrosis and chronic renal disease was admitted to our hospital because of severe anemia and gastrointestinal bleeding. Although no bleeding was observed by upper or lower endoscopy, contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed an enhanced area in the small intestinal wall that was suspected of being the bleeding site, and was confirmed by double-balloon endoscopy. Based on endoscopic findings, it was difficult to differentiate between variceal rupture and collapse of a submucosal tumor. We performed segmental resection of the small intestine to make a definitive diagnosis and achieve reliable hemostasis. The gross findings confirmed a variceal rupture from the small intestine. His gastrointestinal bleeding stopped and his anemia improved following surgery. Although some cases of portal hypertension in association with myelofibrosis have been reported, we are aware of no prior reports of variceal rupture in the small intestine. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of ectopic jejunal varices in a patient with myelofibrosis.