Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to gastroduodenal pseudoaneurysm

Abstract

Among the uncommon etiologies of gastrointestinal bleeding, gastroduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare condition that complicates acute recurrent pancreatitis, trauma, ERCP, cholecystectomy and other conditions. It is a life threatening condition that carries a mortality rate of 40% if not treated. We report a case of a 51-year- old male with history of recurrent acute pancreatitis who presented with repeated episodes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding of unclear source that required multiple admissions and blood transfusion. After thorough evaluation, the source was found to be gastroduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm secondary to recurrent idiopathic acute pancreatitis that was successfully treated with catheter embolization.