Infarction of the stomach following atheromatous embolization. Report of a case and literature review.

Abstract

Infarction of the stomach is an extremely rare event owing to the stomach's rich collateral circulation. Although atheromatous embolization is not uncommonly found in other organs at autopsy, the gastrointestinal tract is an unusual target for atheromatous emboli. When gastrointestinal embolization does occur, mucosal ulcerations and hemorrhage are the most severe changes reported in both man and experimental animals. Infarction is not the usual consequence. This report concerns a 64-year-old woman with multifocal gastric infarcts and a puzzling clinical picture.