BACKGROUND: Dieulafoy lesions (DL) are a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), characterized by exteriorization of a large pulsatile arterial vessel through a minimal mucosal tear surrounded by normal mucosa. In the present study, we aimed to review the clinical experience with DL in our center, primarily focusing on clinical features and endoscopic therapeutic preferences according to clinical outcomes. METHODS: Data from patients with upper GIB were admitted to the Turkiye Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital gastrointestinal endoscopy unit between 2007 and 2011 and were reviewed for DL. Detailed clinical and endoscopic data were abstracted and collected. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were identified with DL. Their ages ranged from 24 to 85 years (median age 70). Fifteen patients were male and twelve were female. Most of the DL occurred in the stomach and were most commonly localized in fundus (59.2%), followed by corpus (29.6%) and antrum (11.2%). The most common initial endoscopic therapeutic approaches were the application of hemoclips with (33.3%) or without adrenalin (40%) injection. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that DL occurred in relatively older patients with a male dominance. Primary hemostasis with endoscopic intervention is safe, successful and cost-effective.
BACKGROUND: Dieulafoy lesions (DL) are a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), characterized by exteriorization of a large pulsatile arterial vessel through a minimal mucosal tear surrounded by normal mucosa. In the present study, we aimed to review the clinical experience with DL in our center, primarily focusing on clinical features and endoscopic therapeutic preferences according to clinical outcomes. METHODS: Data from patients with upper GIB were admitted to the Turkiye Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital gastrointestinal endoscopy unit between 2007 and 2011 and were reviewed for DL. Detailed clinical and endoscopic data were abstracted and collected. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were identified with DL. Their ages ranged from 24 to 85 years (median age 70). Fifteen patients were male and twelve were female. Most of the DL occurred in the stomach and were most commonly localized in fundus (59.2%), followed by corpus (29.6%) and antrum (11.2%). The most common initial endoscopic therapeutic approaches were the application of hemoclips with (33.3%) or without adrenalin (40%) injection. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that DL occurred in relatively older patients with a male dominance. Primary hemostasis with endoscopic intervention is safe, successful and cost-effective.