Dieulafoy's lesion: a rare cause of massive upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage.

Out of 900 cases of Upper Gastrointestinal haemorrhage seen during 1985-1989, 6 (0.67%) cases had Dieulafoy's lesion as the causative factor. All patients presented with massive upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage. The mean age of the patients was 46.3 year (32-60 yrs) and 4 were males and 2 females. No consistent associated medical factors could be identified. The diagnosis was established by emergency endoscopy which showed an active arterial spurter in 4 patients and located the bleeding site to be close to the fundus in other 2 patients. Injection sclerotherapy tried in 3 patients was not successful. Four patients had bleeding lesion along the greater curvature close to the fundus and two had on posterior wall but all within 6 cm. of gastroesophageal junction. All patients underwent curative emergency surgery with wedge resection of the lesion. We conclude that Dieulafoy lesion should be suspected in a patient with massive, recurrent and obscure upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Emergency endoscopy for diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention can cure the lesion which is potentially fatal if untreated.