Endoscopic laser therapy for watermelon stomach.
Thirteen patients (9 women, 4 men) with anemia from acute and chronic gastrointestinal bleeding were found to have antral vascular disease consistent with watermelon stomach. The median age was 73 yr, with a range of 54-88 yr. Eight of the patients were transfusion-dependent, requiring a median of 5.5 U within the 12 mo before treatment. All were treated with endoscopic neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser coagulation. Endoscopic and hematologic improvement were evident in 12 patients available for follow-up after a median period of 6 mo. There was a median increase of 4 g/dl in hemoglobin concentration; thus, the need for transfusion was eliminated. No major complications were encountered. Laser coagulation for watermelon stomach appears to be safe and efficacious and may be a therapeutic alternative for this disorder.
Gostout
C J
CJ
Division of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
Ahlquist
D A
DA
Radford
C M
CM
Viggiano
T R
TR
Bowyer
B A
BA
Balm
R K
RK
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008028:Light Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011706:Pyloric Antrum / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*