Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) associated with systemic sclerosis: relapse after endoscopic treatment by argon plasma coagulation.
In this report, we present a case of gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) associated with systemic sclerosis and interstitial pneumonitis. This case showed resistance to endoscopic treatment using argon plasma coagulation (APC). After initial recognition of GAVE as the origin of persistent anemia, three sessions of APC were performed and dilated vessels on the antrum were eliminated completely. Five months after primary treatment, follow-up endoscopy revealed deformity of the gastric antrum caused by ulcer scars induced by APC, with no vascular ectasia. Ten months later, the patient showed anemia and recurrence of GAVE on endoscopy. Ablation using APC was performed again, thereby eradicating recurrent GAVE completely. At a two months' follow-up, however, recurrent GAVE was indicated. In spite of GAVE eradication by APC, a third recurrence of GAVE was observed after 32 months. During the follow-up period, systemic sclerosis and interstitial pneumonitis were controlled clinically by administration of methyl prednisolone with no aggravation.
Shibukawa
Goro
G
Department of Internal Medicine 2, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima.
Irisawa
Atsushi
A
Sakamoto
Natsumi
N
Takagi
Tadayuki
T
Wakatsuki
Takeru
T
Imamura
Hidemichi
H
Takahashi
Yuta
Y
Sato
Ai
A
Sato
Masaki
M
Hikichi
Takuto
T
Obara
Katsutoshi
K
Ohira
Hiromasa
H
D000368:Aged; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D001128:Argon; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D020252:Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011706:Pyloric Antrum / Q000473:pathology; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001128:Argon