Role of hemoclips in the management of acute bleeding from a gastric stromal tumor: a case report and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Though gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) frequently present with gastrointestinal bleeding, the guidelines for the management and control of bleeding are unclear especially in patients who are not appropriate for surgical resection.


METHODS
We report a case of gastric GIST in an elderly patient who presented with bleeding. Homeostasis was achieved initially with the endoscopic placement of a hemoclip followed by treatment with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, imatinib.


CONCLUSIONS
The management of bleeding GISTs in the elderly pose a challenging task to the gastroenterologist and treatment strategies should be tailored to the expertise of the endoscopist, surgeon and other supportive staff.
Khashab
Mouen A
MA
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. mkhashab@iupui.edu.
Cramer
Harvey M
HM
Liangpunsakul
Suthat
S