Gastric antral vascular ectasia: a case report and review of the literature.

UNLABELLED: We present an 83-yr-old woman with a history of renal insufficiency, diabetes and idiopathic purpura (ITP) who experienced recurrent hemorrhage from gastric antral vascular ectasias (GAVE).

METHODS

Extensive evaluation consisting of barium small bowel series, colonoscopy, abdominal CT scan and visceral angiography excluded other causes of bleeding.

RESULTS

After 99mTc-labeled red cell imaging to localize the bleeding to the antrum, an antrectomy was performed. Seven months postsurgery, the patient experienced no further hemorrhage.

CONCLUSION

99mTc-labeled red cell scans can be used for the diagnosis of GAVE.