title: Endosonography in the diagnosis of "blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome": an uncommon cause of gastrointestinal tract bleeding.
abstract: Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome is a rare condition characterized by the presence of multiple angiomatic lesions of the skin. These are associated with similar lesions in other organs, namely in the gastrointestinal tract, causing anemia through chronic bleeding. We describe the case of a 72-year-old woman with microcytic anemia. A barium study revealed irregular lacunae in the distal esophagus. A subsequent endoscopy showed blue nodular lesions similar to angiomas of the esophagus and stomach fundus. Endosonography confirmed its angiomatic nature. Exploration of other organs, using magnetic resonance and cranial computed tomography, did not reveal the presence of this type of lesion. In physical examination, two angiomatic lesions were observed on the face and lips, respectively. These were blue in color and compressible, leaving an empty wrinkled sac that rapidly refilled, typical of angiomas.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Coimbra University Hospital, Portugal.
authors: Z
authors: Z
authors: Romão
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Pontes
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Lopes
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Vasconcelos
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Portela
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Andrade
authors: M C
authors: MC
authors: Leitão
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Donato
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Freitas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D019160:Endosonography; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip; D018329:Nevus, Blue / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013577:Syndrome