An Unusual Cause of Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding Using an Abdominal CT Scan with Contrast: A Case Report of Small Intestinal GIST at the Duodenojejunal Junction

Abstract

Background/Aim: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. However, they only constitute approximately 1% of all primary GI tumors. GISTs are most commonly found in the stomach (60% - 70%) and small intestine (20% - 30%). Colorectal (5%) and esophageal (<5%) tumors are less often encountered We aim to report a case of this rare neoplasm in a patient with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, treated by surgical resection. Presentation of Clinical Case: A 33-year-old male, presented to the emergency department for melena and dizziness in January 2023. He was hospitalized several times for anemia with multiple blood transfusions since 2017 and never made a final diagnosis. From 2017 to 2019 he underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and ileocolonoscopy 3 times which always gave a negative result. At this time, laboratory results showed microcytic anemia with hemoglobin 7 g/dl. We performed an EGD and ileocolonoscopy again but still showed negative then we did an abdominal CT scan with contrast with demonstrated a solid exophytic hypervascular mass measuring 62 × 38 × 73 mm that appeared to arise from the duodenojejunal junction. The surgeon decided to proceed with surgical resection of the mass and the histopathologist confirmed the diagnosis of GISTs. The patients were discharged in stable condition after the surgery and followed up every 3 - 6 months with the oncologist. Conclusion: The presentation of chronic GI bleeding with negative results in EGD and ileocolonoscopy, and abdominal CT scan with contrast could provide useful information in order to obtain a diagnosis of bleeding GISTS. Teamwork is the cornerstone in the management of the case. After the resection of the mass by the surgeon, the histopathologist allowed us to establish the definitive diagnosis and the oncologist will follow up with this patient in order to prevent the relapse of symptoms.