Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus Syndrome: An Unusual Cause of Abdominal Pain

Abstract

We present a case of a 22 year old female who 
presented to the hospital with abdominal pain and iron 
deficiency 
anemia. 
She 
had 
an 
esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) that revealed 
blue rubber bled nevus syndrome (BRBNS), a rare 
condition characterized by multiple relapsing and 
remitting 
cutaneous venous malformations in 
association with visceral lesions most commonly 
affecting the GI tract.  
In 1860, Gascoyen first 
deficiency 
anemia or even require significant 
transfusions.2  
We present an unusual case of 
abdominal pain associated with iron deficiency anemia.  
The 
patient 
underwent 
an 
esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and was 
endoscopically noted to have vascular lesions 
consistent with BRBNS.  The case report will discuss 
the presentation, diagnosis and management of 
BRBNS. 
described an association between cavernous 
hemangiomas of the skin and similar lesions in the GI 
tract.  In 1958, Bean further described these lesions 
and coined the term blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome.  
Chronic iron deficiency anemia is the most common 
complication.  
The patient’s abdominal pain and 
anemia were due to the intraluminal thrombus from a 
previously bleeding bleb.  She recovered from the 
hospitalization and has been undergoing repeated 
transfusions to correct her anemia.