Congenital gastric diverticulum as a cause of massive hemorrhage.

Abstract

A case of massive hemorrhage secondary to a bleeding gastric diverticulum is described. The bleeding site was identified angiographically. Congenital gastric diverticula are a rare cause of massive gastrointestinal bleeding. However, this diagnosis should be considered when gastrointestinal bleeding occurs in any patient known to have a gastric diverticulum. In view of the widespread availability of gastroscopy and angiography, an attempt should be made to confirm the diagnosis preoperatively in most cases. Once a gastric diverticulum has bled, it should probably be removed since bleeding may be recurrent.