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. 2009 Fall;13(4):46-9.
doi: 10.7812/TPP/09-055.

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (watermelon stomach)-an enigmatic and often-overlooked cause of gastrointestinal bleeding in the elderly

Hien Nguyen  1 , Connie Le, Hanh Nguyen
Affiliations

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (watermelon stomach)-an enigmatic and often-overlooked cause of gastrointestinal bleeding in the elderly

Hien Nguyen et al. Perm J. 2009 Fall.

Abstract

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) syndrome, also known as watermelon stomach is a significant cause of acute or chronic gastrointestinal blood loss in the elderly. is characterized endoscopically by "watermelon stripes." Without cirrhosis, patients are 71% female, average age 73, presenting with occult blood loss leading to transfusion-dependent chronic iron-deficiency anemia, severe acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and nondescript abdominal pain.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Endoscopic appearance of watermelon stomach.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
An alternate endo-scopic appearance of watermelon stomach.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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