Dieulafoy's lesion of the duodenum: a comparative review of 37 cases.

Dieulafoy's lesion is an abnormally large, tortuous, submucosal vessel that erodes the overlying epithelium without primary ulceration or erosion. The lesion predominantly occurs in the proximal stomach but it is also reported in extragastric sites. The pathogenesis and precipitating factors are poorly understood. Patients frequently present with gastrointestinal haemorrhage that can range from being self-limited to massive life threatening. Although there are no standard guidelines, endoscopy has significantly impacted the diagnosis and management. This review outlines our current understanding of the epidemiology of and risk factors for Dieulafoy's lesion of the duodenum, the pathophysiology of this disorder, and currently available approaches to diagnosis and management. © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd (unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.