title: Hemoperitoneum due to a ruptured gastric stromal tumor.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gastrointestinal stromal tumors form a group of uncommon neoplasms originated from pluripotential mesenchymal cells. Many patients are asymptomatic and the tumor is discovered during an abdominal operation. Massive intraperitoneal bleeding is an exceptional complication associated with high mortality rates. Our aim is to report a case of a gastric stromal tumor in an 83-year-old patient presenting with intraperitoneal hemorrhage and hypovolemic shock, successfully operated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Emergency laparotomy showed a hemoperitoneum caused by rupture of a large exogastric tumor attached to the greater curvature. Total gastrectomy and esophagojejunostomy was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Histological examination revealed proliferation of spindle-shaped cells but immunocytochemistry failed to identify specific markers of smooth muscle and neural cells. Diagnosis of a gastric stromal tumor was made. Postoperative evolution was uncomplicated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gastric stromal tumor is a relatively rare neoplasm of mesenchymal origin whose nature and prognosis is unclear.
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Digestive Surgery, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pera
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sáenz
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fernández-Cruz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006465:Hemoperitoneum / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D018230:Leiomyoma, Epithelioid / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery