Ganglioneuroma of the terminal ileum. An unusual case of occult gastrointestinal bleeding.
Occult gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding from small-bowel tumors is relatively uncommon, and bleeding from neural tumors is rare. A case of chronic bleeding from a ganglioneuroma that led to ileal ulceration is presented. This case documents the important role of exploratory celiotomy and thorough exploration of the abdomen in carefully selected patients with occult GI blood loss. In this case, a complete preoperative evaluation was negative, but a nondirected celiotomy resulted in diagnosis and successful treatment.
Marcum
M A
MA
Department of Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Kentucky.
Richardson
J D
JD
Kuhns
J G
JG
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005729:Ganglioneuroma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007078:Ileal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D009780:Occult Blood