Fatal ruptured duodenal varix: a case report and review of literature

Abstract

The incidence of bleeding duodenal varices is exceedingly rare. We report a case of a 35-year-old chronic alcoholic who died of severe fatal upper gastrointestinal bleeding from a ruptured duodenal varix located in the second portion of duodenum. This diagnosis was suspected at endoscopy and was confirmed at autopsy. A review of literature shows 20 case reports of bleeding duodenal varices with two fatalities. While the duodenal bulb is the most common site of varices, the second portion of duodenum appears to be the next most common site. From all of the possible causes of duodenal varix, chronic liver diseases, mainly cirrhosis, remains the predominant etiological factor accounting for 30.7% of reported cases.