Other Diseases of the Stomach

Gastric angiodysplasias are bright red, flat elevated lesions. In patients with cirrhosis of the liver, gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) and congestive gastroenteropathy may occur. GAVE resembles the stripes of a watermelon. Portal hypertensive gastropathy appears with a variable mosaic pattern and red spots according to the severity of the portal hypertension. Dieulafoy’s lesion is a vascular abnormality characterized by a protuberant artery with a nipple or no surrounding ulceration. Gastric diverticulum and Mallory-Weiss tears are gastric anatomical abnormalities. Gastric diverticulum is an outpouching of all of the wall layers. A Mallory-Weiss tear is a mechanical laceration at the gastroesophageal junction. A gastric bezoar is a mass of solidified food that persists in the stomach. Foreign bodies, such as coins, balls, dentures, mercury cells, press-through packs, toothbrushes, wires, and acupuncture needles, may become lodged in the stomach. The corrosive agents cause damage to tissue on contact. Early endoscopy is needed for assessments for the extent and severity of caustic injuries.