Wells CD, Harrison ME, Gurudu SR et al.
Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, AZ, USA.
Gastrointest Endosc 2008;68:231–6.
Editor’s note: Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) – also known as “watermelon stomach” – can cause recurrent iron deficiency and anemia, and is typically managed with endoscopic thermal treatments (ETTs) such as argon plasma coagulation (APC) or electrocautery. However, patients frequently require repeat thermal ablation treatment, and the procedure can be complicated by bleeding, perforation, and even death. Endoscopic band ligation (EBL) is now an accepted and widely deployed technique for the treatment and elimination of esophageal varices. The authors of this retrospective study report the experience of a single center, the Mayo Clinic Arizona (Scottsdale, AZ, USA), in using EBL to treat GAVE. The rationale for this therapy is that the pathology of GAVE, which includes mucosal and submucosal vascular ectasia, is also found in varices secondary to portal hypertension.