A Case of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) of Small Intestine in which Balloon Enteroscopy was Useful for the Close Inspection of the Cause of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Abstract

The patient was a 68-year-old woman with exertional shortness of breath. Blood test showed iron deficiency anemia. CT detected the mass near Treitz ligament but upper endoscopy couldn’t identify it. She was introduced to our hospital for detailed examination. The balloon enteroscopy revealed submucosal tumor on the jejunum of the Treitz ligament neighborhood. Based on the results of a biopsy, she was diagnosed with GIST. After discharge, her breath shortness was aggravated and hemoglobin fell to 6.4g/dl. We regarded the bleeding from the GIST as a cause of anemia and she underwent jejunum segmental resection. Hemoglobin recovered after operation. In chronic unidentified iron deficiency anemia, we should have in mind the possibility of tumors of small intestine including GIST, and it’s necessary to perform a close inspection including balloon enteroscopy.