Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0017168 (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
 11,783 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

This is the first reported case of rectal vascular ectasia in association with gastric antral vascular ectasia (watermelon stomach). The patient, a 39-year-old woman with systemic sclerosis, reported chronic gastrointestinal blood loss and iron deficiency anemia. She had aperistalsis of the distal esophagus, decreased lower esophageal sphincter pressure leading to severe gastroesophageal reflux, and dysmotility of the small intestine. Diagnosis was made by endoscopic appearance of visible linear watermelon-like vascular stripes in the gastric antrum and rectum. Histology confirmed the vascular nature of this disorder, showing dilated and thrombosed capillaries in the lamina propria. Gastric biopsy showed associated fibromuscular hyperplasia in the lamina propria. However, the colonic biopsy showed only focal hyalinization in the lamina propria. The patient was successfully treated using endoscopic bipolar electrocautery. Watermelon stomach has previously been described in association with systemic sclerosis. Based on the histopathologic similarity between rectal vascular ectasia, gastric antral vascular ectasia, and systemic sclerosis, we suggest that the rectal vascular lesion may represent a component of the gastrointestinal manifestations of systemic sclerosis.
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PMID:The watermelon rectum. 1146 49

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disorder characterized by microvascular involvement, which very frequently targets the digestive tract. Gastrointestinal involvement is noted in up to 90% of cases, the segment most frequently involved being the esophagus although the entire digestive tract may be affected. Gastroesophageal reflux is the most common symptom but other unusual complications may also occur. Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) or watermelon stomach is one such rare lesion; it relates to a disturbed capillary bed, which appears dilated, sometimes with thrombi under the mucosa. This lesion is one expression of generalized SSc microvasculopathy. Its prevalence is not precisely known but appears to be weak; however, it remains a cause of anemia clinicians should be aware of. Indeed, specific local treatment must be delivered and is usually efficient despite frequent recurrent events.
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PMID:[Watermelon stomach in systemic sclerosis]. 2045 85