Background and Study Aims: Watermelon stomach is a source of recurrent gastrointestinal hemorrhage and anemia.
The aims of this study were to describe the endoscopic appearance and treatment outcomes
in watermelon stomach patients with and without portal hypertension.
Patients and Methods: All patients with watermelon stomach enrolled in a hemostasis research group’s prospective
studies from 1991 to 1999 were identified. Investigators collected data using standardized
forms. Comparisons were made using the chi-squared test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and
Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
Results: Twenty-six of 744 (4 %) consecutively enrolled patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal
hemorrhage had watermelon stomach as the cause. Eight of these 26 patients (31 %)
also had portal hypertension. These patients had diffuse antral angiomas, as opposed
to the classic linear arrays seen in those without portal hypertension. The demographic
data and clinical presentations of the two groups were otherwise similar. Palliative
endoscopic treatment was associated with a significant rise in hematocrit and a decrease
in the need for blood transfusion or hospitalization in watermelon stomach patients
with and without portal hypertension.
Conclusions: Watermelon stomach patients with and without portal hypertension had similar clinical
presentations. The endoscopic findings differed in that those with portal hypertension
had more diffuse gastric angiomas. Bleeding was effectively palliated by endoscopic
treatment, regardless of the presence of portal hypertension.
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A 208
G. S. Dulai, M. D., M.S.H.S.
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System · CURE Digestive Diseases Research Center,
Building 115, Room 215c
11301 Wilshire Boulevard · Los Angeles, CA 90073 · USA
Fax: + 1-310-794-2908
Email: gdulai@mednet.ucla.edu