Gastric perforation after endoscopic treatment of a Dieulafoy's lesion.

Abstract

Dieulafoy's vascular malformation is an underdiagnosed cause of massive, often recurrent upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Attempted endoscopic treatment of Dieulafoy's lesion has been recommended prior to surgery in many instances, but may occasionally be employed as primary therapy in patients that are not considered good "operative risks." Although generally considered safe and effective therapy for nonvariceal hemorrhage, combination therapy by injection and thermocoagulation techniques may result in perforation. We present a patient with a Dieulafoy's lesion of the stomach that illustrates both the efficacy and risks of combination endoscopic therapy for nonvariceal gastrointestinal hemorrhage.