Gastric aneurysms: unusual lesions with lethal potential

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Vascular Surgery
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Gastric aneurysms are uncommon vascular lesions.
• Extravisceral and intramural types present differently.
• Rupture can lead to severe hemorrhage.

Observation:

• Extravisceral gastric aneurysms rarely cause symptoms before intraperitoneal rupture.
• Ruptured visceral aneurysms are a consideration in unexplained intraperitoneal bleeding.
• Intramural gastric aneurysms manifest as massive hematemesis.

Findings:

• Elective resection is recommended for preoperatively diagnosed extravisceral gastric aneurysms.
• Subtotal gastrectomy successfully managed two cases of intramural gastric aneurysms with hematemesis.

Implications:

• Early diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial for managing gastric aneurysms.
• Consideration of ruptured visceral aneurysms in obscure abdominal hemorrhage is important.
• Gastric aneurysm management requires a multidisciplinary approach involving surgeons and radiologists.