Gastric vascular ectasia treated by argon plasma coagulation in a patient with cirrhosis and post-irradiated malignant lymphoma

Abstract

A case of gastric vascular ectasia in a 66-year-old female with cirrhosis (type B and C) , and post-irradiated gastric malignant lymphoma was reported. Vascular ectasia was seen in the whole mucosa of the stomach. Inspite of refraining from foods as well as prescribing 30mg/day of lansoprazole, oozing was still observed by endoscopy and several blood transfusion was necessary. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) was carried out which showed decreasing hemorrhage. After 16 times coagulation, oozing from gastric mucosa stopped completely without any adverse events. APC seems to be a safe and effective therapy for gastric vascular ectasia especially in patients of cirrhosis.