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Resolution of gastric antral vascular ectasia following cessation of imatinib
  1. James A Maye1,
  2. Olivia Baker1 and
  3. Nadim Sheikh2
  1. 1Medicine, West Suffolk Hospital, Bury Saint Edmunds, UK
  2. 2Gastroenterology, West Suffolk Hospital, Bury Saint Edmunds, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr James A Maye; j.anthonymaye{at}gmail.com

Abstract

A female patient in her 80s presented with chronic iron-deficiency anaemia secondary to gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE), despite repeated endoscopic treatment. Her medical history was notable for chronic myeloid leukaemia, for which she took imatinib. Due to a possible association between imatinib and GAVE described in a small number of case reports, cessation of imatinib was trialled. This led to a significant improvement in the patient’s anaemia and resolution of GAVE on repeat endoscopy. GAVE is an uncommon cause of gastrointestinal bleeding, the aetiology of which is uncertain. This report describes an approach to the differential diagnosis of chronic iron-deficiency anaemia and an overview of GAVE syndrome. It illustrates the benefit of broadening the differential when the diagnosis is uncertain and the utility of case reports in informing the differential diagnosis.

  • Gastrointestinal system
  • Haematology (drugs and medicines)
  • GI bleeding
  • Endoscopy
  • Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia

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Footnotes

  • Contributors The following authors contributed equally to this work: JAM, OB. The following authors were responsible for drafting of the text, sourcing and editing of clinical images, investigation results, drawing original diagrams and algorithms, and critical revision for important intellectual content: JAM, OB and NS. The following authors gave final approval of the manuscript: NS, JAM and OB.

  • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

  • Case reports provide a valuable learning resource for the scientific community and can indicate areas of interest for future research. They should not be used in isolation to guide treatment choices or public health policy.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.