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

Abstract

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). Extensive evaluation consisting of barium small bowel series, colonoscopy, abdominal CT scan and visceral angiography excluded other causes of bleeding. 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. 99mTc-labeled red cell scans can be used for the diagnosis of GAVE.