Rare GI disease leads to 20-plus units of transfused blood - Report - MDSpire
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Rare GI disease leads to 20-plus units of transfused blood

A rare intestinal lymphangioma caused life-threatening bleeding without typical laboratory features of protein-losing enteropathy

  • By

  • Teraya Smith

  • October 5, 2026

  • 2 min

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Rare GI disease leads to 20-plus units of transfused blood

Background

Intestinal lymphangioma and lymphangiectasia are rare conditions that can lead to significant gastrointestinal complications, including life-threatening bleeding. This case highlights the atypical presentation of intestinal lymphatic disease and the importance of tissue diagnosis.

Data Highlights

The patient required more than 20 units of packed red blood cells due to refractory hemorrhage. Imaging and biopsy findings led to a diagnosis of intestinal lymphangioma with secondary lymphangiectasia.

Key Findings

  • The patient had recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding and iron-deficiency anemia.
  • CT imaging revealed hypodense mesenteric lymphadenopathy.
  • Double-balloon enteroscopy showed diffuse jejunal infiltration.
  • Endoscopic biopsy indicated a vascular-rich lesion consistent with lymphangioma.
  • The patient had preserved albumin levels and no lymphopenia.
  • Small bowel transplantation was performed due to persistent bleeding and failure of conservative management.

Clinical Implications

Accurate tissue diagnosis is essential when imaging suggests a lymphoproliferative disease.

Conclusion

Awareness of atypical presentations can aid in timely intervention.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Case Reports in Pathology, 2023 -- Rare GI disease leads to 20-plus units of transfused blood
  2. Bone Marrow Transplantation — Survival Following Extracorporeal Life Support in a Pediatric Patient with Fulminant Myocarditis Likely Linked to GvHD After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
  3. ASCO Publications — Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease.
  4. Intensive Care Medicine — Patient blood management in general intensive care patients
  5. jadpro — Can You Determine the Cause of This Patient’s Vision Changes?
  6. Intestinal lymphangioma and intestinal lymphangiectasia - PMC
  7. European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Guidelines 2022
  8. Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia: French National Diagnosis and Care Protocol

Original Source(s)

Rare GI disease leads to 20-plus units of transfused blood

  • by Teraya Smith

  • October 5, 2026

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