Laparoscopic assisted balloon enteroscopy to detect obscure gastrointestinal bleeding sources missed by capsule endoscopy

Jejunoileal neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are frequently multifocal and represent a consistent source of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). We report the real-life case of a female presenting to our attention for severe episodes of haematochezia caused by multiple localisation of jejunoileal NETs. A discrepancy between pre-operative total body contrast-enhancement computed tomography scan and capsule endoscopy (CE) emerged, in terms of numbers of lesions, so that, as completeness, an intraoperative balloon-assisted enteroscopy (BAE) was carried out, leading to the detection of the multiple lesions missed during CE. In case of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding sources missed by capsule endoscopy, laparoscopic-assisted balloon enteroscopy plays an essential role, allowing both to assess a precise diagnosis and to resect the intestinal bleeding tract.

Automated summary

Jejunoileal neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are often multifocal and a common cause of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). This case report highlights the discrepancy between pre-operative imaging and capsule endoscopy in detecting multiple lesions, leading to the use of intraoperative balloon-assisted enteroscopy (BAE) for accurate diagnosis and resection of the bleeding lesions.