Submucosal gastric haematoma: a case report and review of the literature

A belly of blood: A case report describing surgical intervention in a gastric intramural haematoma precipitated by therapeutic endoscopy in an anticoagulated patient

Gastric intramural hematoma, "intramural dissection" or "false aneurysm", is a rare and dangerous condition which may be more broadly classified as a spectrum of acute gastric mucosal injury. It is postulated that disruption of the mucosa and blood vessels within the submucosal layer results in dissection of the muscularis propria from the mucosa, with eventual clot formation. While a majority of cases resolve with conservative management, we describe a successfully managed case requiring surgical intervention. Progression of the haematoma was documented both endoscopically and surgically in an elderly anticoagulated patient who suffered a complication of therapeutic endoscopic intervention. A review of the literature is presented.

An Unsusual Case of Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding

BACKGROUND

Amyloidosis is a multisystem disease, and can present with multitude of nonspecific symptoms. Gastrointestinal amyloidosis is common, and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in these patients has a wide differential diagnosis. The present case features the distinctive endoscopic finding of submucosal hematoma as a clue to immunoglobin light chain (AL) amyloid involvement of the gastrointestinal tract.

CASE REPORT

An 81-year-old woman with AL amyloidosis was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) for evaluation of GI bleeding. Prior to the bleeding episode, the patient had undergone paracentesis for management of her ascites related to restrictive cardiomyopathy. Initial evaluation was negative for any intra-abdominal catastrophe related to her recent paracentesis. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was negative for any source of bleeding. However, colonoscopy showed a ruptured submucosal hematoma, which is a rare but classical finding in patients with amyloidosis. The patient was managed conservatively and did not have any further episodes of bleeding in the hospital. She unfortunately died due to her primary illness 6 weeks after discharge from the hospital.

CONCLUSIONS

The finding of submucosal hematoma on endoscopy is a rare but sentinel sign for amyloidosis involvement in the GI tract.

Gastric intramural hematoma: a case report and literature review

Intramural hematoma of the gastrointestinal tract is an uncommon occurrence, with the majority being localized to the esophagus or duodenum. Hematoma of the gastric wall is very rare, and has been described most commonly in association with coagulopathy, peptic ulcer disease, trauma, and amyloid-associated microaneurysms. A case of massive gastric intramural hematoma, secondary to anticoagulation therapy, and a gastric ulcer that was successfully managed with conservative therapy, is presented. A literature review of previously reported cases of gastric hematoma is also provided.

Clinical recognition of Al type amyloidosis of the luminal gastrointestinal tract

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Amyloidosis is characterized by the pathologic deposition of specific proteins throughout the body. Gastrointestinal involvement with amyloid associated with plasma cell dyscrasias (AL type amyloidosis) is common, but systematic description of the condition is lacking. The aim of this investigation was to characterize the clinical presentation, endoscopic findings, and histopathologic correlates in a series of patients with systemic AL amyloidosis of the luminal gastrointestinal tract.

METHODS

Eligible patients were identified by interrogating the histopathology database of our institution during a 14-year time period. Medical record, histopathologic, and laboratory data were collected, analyzed, and correlated with endoscopic findings.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients with systemic AL amyloidosis of the luminal gastrointestinal tract were identified. Gastrointestinal symptoms or signs related to amyloid involvement were noted in 95% of patients; abdominal pain, change in bowel habits, overt gastrointestinal bleeding, and complaints related to altered motility were the predominant presentations. Endoscopic abnormalities were found in nearly three fourths of patients, including ulcerations and submucosal hematomas. When gastrointestinal bleeding was the presenting symptom, submucosal hematomas were a common finding during endoscopic evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS

AL type amyloidosis of the luminal gastrointestinal tract is a rare disease that presents with common, nonspecific complaints. The endoscopic detection of a submucosal hematoma in the setting of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with plasma cell dyscrasias should raise suspicion for the disease.

Recurrent gastric hemorrhaging with large submucosal hematomas in a patient with primary AL systemic amyloidosis: endoscopic and histopathological findings

A 64-year-old woman who suffered intractable gastric ulcers with hemorrhaging showed huge submucosal hematomas in her stomach on the endoscopic examination. Since gastric mucosal biopsy revealed amyloid deposition and IgG lambda type M protein was detectable in her serum, she was diagnosed as having primary AL systemic amyloidosis. The gastric hemorrhages did not improve despite intensive medication, so total gastrectomy was performed, resulting in an unfavorable outcome. Massive deposition of amyloid with A lambda immunoreactivity was seen on the submucosal vessels in her stomach. This is a rare primary AL systemic amyloidosis case showing recurrent and fatal gastric submucosal hematomas.