Case report: life-threatening haematochezia from a jejunal leiomyoma

Leiomyoma is a common benign intestinal tumour. Melaena is not rare in this tumour. Recently, rectal haematochezia has been considered as one of the very rare manifestations of leiomyoma. We report a case of jejunal leiomyoma showing life-threatening rectal bleeding. This 76-year-old man was admitted to hospital because of continuous rectal bleeding for 2 days. Haemorrhagic shock occurred and transfusion of 27 units of packed red blood cells failed to correct the shock. Emergent superior mesenteric angiography revealed a distal jejunal tumour showing evidence of active oozing. Segmental intestinal resection was performed to remove this jejunal tumour. Final pathological examination disclosed a jejunal leiomyoma with a ruptured artery responsible for the life-threatening bleeding. The patient recovered after tumour resection. Our presenting case was probably the second case of jejunal leiomyoma showing haematochezia. The diagnostic priority is discussed.