A Case of Watermelon Stomach ( Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia ) / 대한소화기내시경학회지

ABSTRACT

Watermelon stomach or gastric antral vascular ectasia is a rare disorder causing gastric blood loss and iron deficicncy anemia. Endoscopically, it has characteristic thickened red vascular folds radiating from the pylorus to the antrum. This condition is often mis- diagnosed as antral hemorrhagic gastritis. Diagnosis is made primarily by endoscopy. Histologic examination of the endoscopic mucosal biopsies may confirm the endoscopic diagnosis. Treatment for watermelon stomach includes steroids, estrogen-progesterone combinations, somatostatin antagonists, tranexamic acid, heater probe, and laser therapy. Herein we report a case of watermelon stomach presenting with general weakness and persistent iron deficiency anemia for about 2 years in a 70-year-old woman.