Massive bleeding from a ruptured artery in jejunal diverticulosis without pre-existing mucosal inflammation or ulceration

A case of massive bleeding from a ruptured artery in jejunal diverticulosis without pre-existing mucosal inflammation or ulceration is presented. A 75-year-old bed-ridden man had massive gastrointestinal bleeding and deteriorated to a state of shock rapidly. Panendoscopy, selective abdominal angiography, and radionuclide scanning were performed, but none of these studies revealed the exact bleeding point. Emergent operation revealed a segment of jejunal diverticulosis with bleeding, and it was resected. Pathologic examination revealed tortuous veins in the submucosa of diverticula and a ruptured artery with evidence of active bleeding in a large diverticulum. No pre-existing mucosal inflammation or ulceration was seen. The bleeding cause is thought to be acquired false diverticular wall tearing of a submucosal artery by bowel distension or unknown moving content.