Ulcerated Jejunal Lipoma Causing Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Case Report

Cureus. 2024 Nov 11;16(11):e73446. doi: 10.7759/cureus.73446. eCollection 2024 Nov.

Abstract

Lipomas of the small intestine are rare and generally asymptomatic. However, they can present with obstructive symptoms or gastrointestinal bleeding that is difficult to localize. A 63-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency department with a complaint of melena for four days. Endoscopy and colonoscopy were performed without any abnormalities. The patient showed no further externalization of symptoms and had a suspicion of intussusception on a CT scan. A capsule endoscopy was performed, revealing an elevated and ulcerated lesion in the proximal jejunum near the Treitz angle. An attempt at enteroscopy was made, but it was suspended due to gastric stasis. The patient developed obstructive symptoms and underwent exploratory laparotomy, which required enterectomy. The histopathological examination confirmed that the lesion was an ulcerated lipoma. Lipomas of the small intestine are rare and challenging to diagnose. The use of capsule endoscopy and enteroscopy allows for the diagnosis of these lesions, greater accuracy in localization, and, in some cases, treatment.

Keywords: capsule endoscopy; case report; laparotomy; lipoma; small intestine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports