An unusual cause of rectal bleeding and intestinal obstruction in a child with peripheral vascular malformations

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

6-1-2005

Journal

Pediatric Surgery International

Volume

21

Issue

6

DOI

10.1007/s00383-005-1399-4

Keywords

Endoscopy; Gastrointestinal bleeding; Hemangioma; Hematochezia; Vascular malformation

Abstract

Vascular malformations of the small bowel are rare yet important causes of abdominal pain and rectal bleeding in children. This report describes a 6-year-old girl with a known history of musculoskeletal vascular anomalies who presented with recurrent abdominal pain and rectal bleeding after seemingly minor trauma. A diagnosis of enteric vascular malformation was established, and the patient was treated by a combined laparoscopic and open approach. This case highlights the fact that in the child with known vascular anomalies who presents with sudden gastrointestinal bleeding and intestinal obstruction, the diagnosis of gastrointestinal vascular anomaly should be suspected, and exploratory laparoscopy should be considered. The current management of enteric vascular anomalies is reviewed, and the differences between vascular malformations and hemangiomas are analyzed. © Springer-Verlag 2005.

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