Publication:

Enhancing intraoperative precision: transillumination technique for identification of small gut arteriovenous malformation

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in the small intestine, though rare, are significant causes of obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. This report discusses the use of a transillumination technique to enhance intraoperative localization and precision in the surgical management of a mid-ileum AVM. A 23-year-old male presented with a two-year history of melena and transfusion-dependent anemia. Despite normal findings on upper and lower GI endoscopy, CT enterography revealed multiple tortuous vascular channels in the mid-ileum. Surgical resection was performed, and intraoperative localization of the AVM was achieved using the transillumination technique. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the patient remained stable at follow-up. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of small gut AVMs and the effectiveness of transillumination as a method to enhance intraoperative precision for identifying AVMs, complementing other diagnostic techniques such as CT enterography and video capsule endoscopy.