A Rare Complication of Hyperplastic Gastric Polyp

Abstract

Hyperplastic gastric polyps are incidentally diagnosed during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. They are known to cause gastric outlet obstruction and chronic blood loss leading to iron deficiency anemia. However, hyperplastic gastric polyp presenting as acute severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding is very rare. To the best of our knowledge, there have been two cases of hyperplastic gastric polyps presenting as acute gastrointestinal bleeding in the medical literature. We present a case of a 56-year-old African American woman who was admitted to our hospital with symptomatic anemia and sepsis. The patient developed acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding during her hospital stay. She underwent emergent endoscopy, but bleeding could not be controlled. She underwent emergent laparotomy and wedge resection to control the bleeding. Biopsy of surgical specimen was reported as hyperplastic gastric polyp. We recommend that physicians should be aware of this rare serious complication of hyperplastic gastric polyps as endoscopic polypectomy has diagnostic and therapeutic benefits in preventing future complications including bleeding.

Sedated gastroscopy improves detection of gastric polyps

“…Gastric polyps (GPs) are defined as protuberant mucosal lesions that are usually detected endoscopically. Most patients are asymptomatic; however, depending on their size and location, some large GPs may cause symptoms, including bleeding, chest pain, abdominal pain, anemia and even gastric tract obstruction (1)(2)(3)(4).…”

Pathophysiological and clinical aspects of gastric hyperplastic polyps

“…Geographical differences exist in the prevalence of gastric polyps. In Western countries, the incidence of GHPs decreased[2], while in areas where the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) is high, GHPs have been reported more frequently[11]. …”

Signet ring cell carcinoma and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma in a gastric hyperplastic polyp with lymphatic invasion: A case report

“…Gastric hyperplastic polyps occur more frequently in regions with a high prevalence of H. pylori infection [14], while the incidence of gastric hyperplastic polyps has decreased in western countries [4]. Gastric hyperplastic polyps almost never occur in normal gastric mucosa and are most commonly associated with chronic gastritis [6].…”