Abstract

Gastric anisakiasis is a parasitic infestation that occurs after eating raw marine fish that contain Anisakis larvae. The diagnosis is usually confirmed by endoscopy, which often reveals the presence of the larvae itself, mucosal edema, erosion, ulceration, and hemorrhage. However, gastric anisakiasis mimicking submucosal tumor is extremely rare. To date, six cases have been reported in Korea. We report three additional cases of gastrtic anisakiasis mimicking submucosal tumor. An asymptomatic 56-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman underwent endoscopis examination during a physical checkup, and a 63-year-old woman visited our hospital complaining of epigastric discomfort. The endoscopic findings indicated submucosal tumors in all cases. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed inhomogeneous, hypoechoic lesions in submucosal layer (1 case) and muscle layer (2 cases). A laparoscopic and endoscopic resection was carried out for definite diagnosis and treatment. The pathologic findings of the resected specimens were eosinophilic granuloma caused by Anisakis. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2006;32:381⁣386)

• Keywords: Anisakiasis, Eosinophilic granuloma, Submucosal tumor