watermelon stomach

A pattern of tortuous vessels located along the longitudinal folds of the stomach, radiating from the pylorus toward the antrum. The endoscopic appearance has been likened to that of watermelon stripes, and is typical of angiodysplasia of the gastric antrum

watermelon stomach

A colloquial term for the pathological changes in the stomach that occur in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis. The disease affects the stomach by causing vascular ectasia in the antrum.

See also: stomach

watermelon stomach

A malformation of the blood vessels in the stomach lining resulting in an appearance on endoscopic examination resembling the inside of a watermelon. The longitudinal folds of the lining (rugae) contain convoluted columns of blood vessels like the stripes of a watermelon. The condition mainly affects elderly women and results in blood loss into the stools and iron-deficiency ANAEMIA. Surgery or corticosteroid treatment may be necessary.