Chronic ischaemic gastritis: an unusual form of splanchnic vascular insufficiency

Three cases of erosive gastroduodenitis secondary to chronic splanchnic vascular insufficiency are reported. In all cases, pain failed to respond to conventional therapeutic measures for peptic ulcer disease. A patchy discolouration and erythematous mottling of the gastric mucosa, with scattered shallow aphthous ulcers, was seen on endoscopic examination. Angiography showed coeliac axis involvement in all patients, with insufficient mesenteric collateral pathways. Chronic gastritis resolved clinically and endoscopically after revascularization.