Giant gastric lipoma presenting as GI bleed: Enucleation or Resection?

Gastric lipomas are unusual benign lesions and account for less than 1% of all tumours of the stomach and 5% of all gastrointestinal lipomas (Thompson et al.2003; Fernandez et al. 1983 [1,2]). Although predominantly asymptomatic and indolent; they may present with gastric outlet obstruction and upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding owing to size and ulceration. Only a few cases have been reported, presenting large in size with massive GI bleeding (Alcalde Escribano et al. 1989; Johnson et al. 1981 [3,4]).

We report the case of a 62-year-old gentleman who presented to the emergency department with massive upper GI hemorrhage. He was initially resuscitated and stabilized. Later gastroscopy showed a large submucosal tumour (Fig. 1). Biopsy revealed adipose tissue. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and pelvis showed a huge well defined oval soft tissue lesion measuring about 16×8×8cm. The mass noted a homogenous fat density arising from the posterior wall of stomach with no extramural infiltration (Fig. 2). The tumour was completely enucleated through an explorative gastrotomy incision (Fig. 4).

Massive bleeding secondary to a giant gastric lipoma is a rare finding of a rare disease. The majority of cases in the literature result in major gastric resection. Familiarity with its radiological findings and a high index of suspicion can lead to proper diagnosis in the acute setting. If malignancy is carefully ruled out, stomach preserving surgery is an optimal treatment option.