PubMed · 1997 · 13 citations · 0 references
MedicineClinical SciencesSurgeryGastroenterologyHepatologyVascular SurgeryGastric DisordersGastrointestinal BleedingGastrointestinal DiseaseGastrointestinal PathologyGastrointestinal SurgeryPortal HypertensionDifferential Diagnosis CriteriaDifferential Symptom DiagnosisGastric BleedingGastric PathologyOccult Gastrointestinal BleedingPortosystemic ShuntsTips (Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt)Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Adjunct Therapy
Gastric antral vascular ectasia, or "watermelon stomach," is a distinct clinical entity within the spectrum of upper gastrointestinal mucosal vascular abnormalities. The pathobiology of the disease is unclear. We here describe a case that emphasizes the importance of the "watermelon stomach" as differential diagnosis of occult gastrointestinal blood loss and report on its successful treatment through installation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt (TIPSS).