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Watermelon stomach: not only an antral disease
Per-Ove Stotzer1, Roger Willén, Anders F Kilander
1Institute of Internal Medicine and Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Pathology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg University, Sweden.
Insights
Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) can affect the gastric cardia. This study found ectatic lesions in the cardia are common in GAVE patients, suggesting further investigation is needed.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Endoscopy
- Pathology
Background:
- Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is a recognized cause of gastrointestinal bleeding.
- Limited data exists on ectatic lesions in the gastric cardia, distinct from the antrum.
- This study investigates the prevalence of cardia lesions in GAVE patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of ectatic lesions in the gastric cardia of patients diagnosed with GAVE.
- To identify potential associations between GAVE, cardia lesions, and comorbid conditions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 17 patients diagnosed with GAVE between 1990 and 2000.
- Systematic examination for ectatic changes in the gastric cardia, particularly after 1996.
- Identification of concurrent medical conditions.
Main Results:
- Ectatic lesions in the gastric cardia were observed in several GAVE patients.
- The prevalence of cardia lesions increased after systematic examination was implemented (5 of 8 patients post-1996 vs. 2 of 9 pre-1996).
- Commonly associated conditions included liver disease (n=5) and heart disease (n=4).
Conclusions:
- Ectatic lesions in the gastric cardia are a frequent finding in patients with GAVE.
- The clinical significance of these cardia lesions warrants further research.
Background:
Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is a source of GI bleeding. Several associated conditions have been recognized. However, there is little information on the occurrence of ectatic lesions in regions of the stomach other than the antrum, that is, the cardia. Patients in whom a diagnosis of GAVE was made from 1990 to 2000 are presented with an emphasis on the frequency of contemporaneous ectatic lesions in the gastric cardia.
Methods:
A diagnosis of GAVE was made in 17 patients. Concurrent disorders were identified. After 1996, all patients with GAVE were systematically examined for ectatic changes in the cardia.
Results:
Several of the 17 patients had lesions in the cardia, 2 of 9 being identified before 1996 and 5 of 8 after 1996. The most common comorbid conditions were liver (n = 5) and heart disease (n = 4).
Conclusion:
Ectatic lesions in the cardia are common in patients with GAVE. The significance of this finding remains to be investigated.