Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus Syndrome Causing Small Bowel Bleeding

Dig Dis Sci. 2025 Jan;70(1):1-3. doi: 10.1007/s10620-024-08752-8. Epub 2024 Nov 18.

Abstract

A 79-year-old man with fatigue and melena was diagnosed with severe iron-deficiency anemia. Capsule endoscopy revealed submucosal vascular lesions in the jejunum and active bleeding in the ileum, consistent with Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus Syndrome (BRBNS). Exploratory laparoscopy led to the resection of a 120 cm intestinal segment, confirming the diagnosis. Figures show the resected section and vascular anomalies.

Keywords: Anemia; Blue rubber bleb nevus; Gastrointestinal bleeding; Small bowel; Vascular structures.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / etiology
  • Capsule Endoscopy
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage* / etiology
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage* / surgery
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms* / complications
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nevus, Blue* / complications
  • Nevus, Blue* / diagnosis
  • Nevus, Blue* / surgery
  • Skin Neoplasms* / complications
  • Skin Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Skin Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms* / surgery

Supplementary concepts

  • Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome