Definition:
Watermelon Stomach or the Gastric antral vascular ectasia, GAVE for brevity, is a condition where there is improper function especially in the antrum or the last part of the stomach. It is a rare condition which is cause by the chronic gastrointestinal bleeding or iron deficiency anemia.
Diagnosis:
The presence of the Watermelon Stomach or the Gastric antral vascular ectasia is made through medical and physical examination or through the use of endoscopy (Suit PF, Petras RE, Bauer TW, Petrini JL (1987). "Gastric antral vascular ectasia. A histologic and morphometric study of 'the watermelon stomach'". Am. J. Surg. Pathol. 11 (10): 750–7).
Treatment:
Watermelon Stomach or the Gastric antral vascular ectasia,is treated through endoscope and argon plasma coagulation and electrocautery. Estrogen therapy and anti-fibronolytic drugs such as the tranexamic acid is also adminstered.
GAVE is treated with treatment through the endoscope, including argon plasma coagulation and electrocautery. Other medical treatments have been tried and include estrogen and progesterone therapy and anti-fibrinolytic drugs such as tranexamic acid.
Symptoms and Signs:
The presence of long streaky red areas in the stomach similar to those features of a watermelon.
It is also associated with portal hypertension, chronic renal failure and collagen vascular disease especially the scleroderma.
Causes:
Watermelon Stomach or the Gastric antral vascular ectasia, is said to be cause of chronic gastrointestinal bleeding or iron deficiency anemia.
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