Gastric aneurysms: unusual lesions with lethal potential

Extravisceral gastric aneurysms are rare lesions infrequently producing symptoms prior to life-threatening intraperitoneal rupture. Elective resection is indicated in those unusual cases diagnosed preoperatively. Ruptured visceral aneurysms should be included in the differential diagnosis of obscure intraperitoneal hemorrhage. In contrast, intramural gastric aneurysms produce massive hematemesis managed successfully in two cases by subtotal gastrectomy. Acknowledgment: I wish to thank Doctors Stephen A. Ockner and John Cacciamani for the kind referral of their patient and Doctor Edito Cabal, St. Louis Veterans Administration Hospital, who performed the arteriography.