Diffuse Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia: Cause of Chronic Gastrointestinal Blood Loss

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Abstract
In a patient with long-standing iron deficiency anemia, diffuse gastric antral vascular ectasia was found endoscopically. Diagnostic problems were the misinterpretation of the macroscopic finding as hemorrhagic inflammation and the microscopic confirmation of the diagnosis from small biopsy particles. Resection of the antrum resulted in a persistent normalization of hematologic parameters. Focal ischemia due to microthrombi in mucosal vessels might be the cause of the tendency of this vascular malformation to bleed.