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A patient with long-standing iron-deficient anemia

Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology volume 3, pages 112–116 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Background A 36-year-old Chinese woman presented with cutaneous lupus and was incidentally found to have iron-deficient anemia. She had a history of iron-deficient anemia 13 years previously, for which extensive investigations were carried out; the results of which were all normal. The patient also had pulmonary tuberculosis at that time, for which she received a full course of treatment. She required periodic blood transfusions and iron supplements to maintain her hemoglobin levels. She was subsequently discharged to a family clinic for follow-up until the current presentation.

Investigations Upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, barium meal follow-through, small-bowel enema, 99mTc-labeled red-cell scan and double-balloon enteroscopy.

Diagnosis Iron-deficient anemia due to obscure gastrointestinal bleeding caused by two small-bowel hemangiomas.

Management Laparoscopic surgery.

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Figure 1: Two large hemangiomas were identified in the mid-ileum during double-balloon enteroscopy in a 36-year-old woman with iron-deficient anemia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, and Endoscopy Director at the University of Hong Kong,

    Annie On On Chan & Kam Chuen Lai

  2. Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

    Annie On On Chan & Kam Chuen Lai

Authors
  1. Annie On On Chan
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  2. Kam Chuen Lai
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Annie On On Chan.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Chan, A., Lai, K. A patient with long-standing iron-deficient anemia. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 3, 112–116 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpgasthep0413

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpgasthep0413

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