Abstract
Watermelon stomach, also known as gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) syndrome, is a rare entity. Patients often present with profound unexplained anemia with or without bleeding externalization. We made the diagnosis during a digestive endoscopy for an etiological assessment of this anemia. Endoscopically, antral erythematous lesions in stripes with a punctate appearance, sometimes hemorrhagic, may suggest a watermelon stomach. The pathophysiology of the watermelon stomach remains complex and unclear. Although several pathologies remain implicated, sometimes, it can be idiopathic. The effectiveness of numerous treatments has been evaluated with relatively satisfactory results. This is a rare case of an idiopathic watermelon stomach in a female patient with iron deficiency anemia. Endoscopic treatment was performed with argon plasma coagulation (APC). This treatment option remains the best satisfactory therapy for this patient without complications, recurrence, or transfusion requirements and with a positive outcome. APC is currently the best technique for the treatment of GAVE, allowing the prevention of medical treatment and the use of iterative transfusions with good results.
Recommended Citation
delsa, Hanane; Rahmouni, Imane; sadafyine, Yassamin benhayoun; Belabbes, Fatima; Nadi, Anass; and Rouibaa, Fedoua
(2023)
"Chronic Anemia Revealing an Idiopathic Watermelon Stomach: Case Report,"
Health Sciences: Vol. 5
:
Iss.
1
, Article 3.
Available at:
https://doi.org/10.56264/2658-865X.1095
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