Upper gastrointestinal blood cast due to massive oropharyngeal bleeding

Abstract

We present a case of a patient with recurrent squamous cell cancer of the base of the tongue and right tonsil who developed severe haematemesis. An elongated blood cast of the upper gastrointestinal tract was noted in the emesis. The patient required emergent intubation and blood transfusions. A CT scan with contrast revealed the presence of a pseudoaneurysm of the right lingual artery. Successful control of bleeding was achieved with coil embolisation of the pseudoaneurysm and its feeding artery. This case highlights that oropharyngeal bleeding can mimic gastrointestinal bleeding.

Keywords: Adult intensive care; GI bleeding; Head and neck cancer; Interventional radiology.