Unusual Complicated Gastric Ulcers

• Published in: Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Vol. 57; no. 12; p. 1345
• Main Authors: Brătucu, Mircea Nicolae, Prunoiu, Virgiliu-Mihail, Strâmbu, Victor, Brătucu, Eugen, Răvaş, Maria-Manuela, Simion, Laurenţiu, Petre, Radu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 09.12.2021; MDPI
• Subjects: Biopsy; complications: haemorrhage or perforation; Endoscopy; Evolution; giant ulcers over 2–3 cm; Histology; Humans; Lymphatic system; Lymphoma; Medical diagnosis; Mortality; multiple ulcers; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Pathology; Review; Stomach; Stomach Ulcer - complications; Surgery; Ulcers; giant ulcers over 2–3 cm; complications: haemorrhage or perforation; multiple ulcers
• ISSN: 1648-9144; 1010-660X; 1648-9144
• DOI: 10.3390/medicina57121345

We here draw attention to a practical issue: the approach to certain unusual gastric ulcers with haemorrhage- or perforation-induced complications. This category of ulcers, i.e., giant (over 2-3 cm) and multiple ulcers, is rarely encountered. We discuss the circumstances determining the occurrence of such lesions, their diverse aetiology and pathogenesis, their common manifestations, and the severity of their evolution. Some of the lesions are benign (chronic or acute ulcers), whereas others are neoplastic: carcinoma, stromal tumours, and lymphomas. In gastric ulcers, the characteristics of this particular and rare category of lesions strictly places them in the surgical field, requiring primary surgical intention. Conservative treatments are not effective in such cases, and preoperative biopsies are not appropriate for emergency interventions. Whether these unusual ulcers are benign or malign, they need to be surgically removed.