Korean J Gastrointest Endosc.  1998 Feb;18(1):81-85.

A Case of Watermelon Stomach ( Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia )

• Cho SW
• Park SH
• Kim BK
• Kim YH
• Park YK
• Park JI
• Choi H
• Kim JK
• Chung KW
• Sun HS

Abstract

Watermelon stomach or gastric antral vascular ectasia is a rare disorder causing gastric blood loss and iron deficicncy anemia. Endoscopically, it has characteristic thickened red vascular folds radiating from the pylorus to the antrum. This condition is often mis- diagnosed as antral hemorrhagic gastritis. Diagnosis is made primarily by endoscopy. Histologic examination of the endoscopic mucosal biopsies may confirm the endoscopic diagnosis. Treatment for watermelon stomach includes steroids, estrogen-progesterone combinations, somatostatin antagonists, tranexamic acid, heater probe, and laser therapy. Herein we report a case of watermelon stomach presenting with general weakness and persistent iron deficiency anemia for about 2 years in a 70-year-old woman.

Keyword

Watermelon stomach; Gastric antral vascular ectasia; Iron deficiency anemia

MeSH Terms

Aged
Anemia
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
Biopsy
Citrullus*
Diagnosis
Endoscopy
Female
Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia*
Gastritis
Humans
Iron
Laser Therapy
Pylorus
Somatostatin
Steroids
Tranexamic Acid
Iron
Somatostatin
Steroids
Tranexamic Acid