Abstract

The gastric fundus is a rare site for benign ulcer occurrence as it consists of parietal cells, which secret gastric acid. It is resistant to gastric acid and pepsin, and has an abundant blood supply. Varices or other vascular lesions, such as polyps and submucosal tumors, are more frequently found in the gastric fundus. When an ulcer is found in the gastric fundus, it is important to consider underlying conditions such as a malignancy. In this case, a benign gastric ulcer in the gastric fundus dome formed a protruding mass-like lesion with central necrosis, which was reminiscent of a malignant submucosal tumor. Proper follow-up gastroscopy with endoscopic ultrasonography helped to differentiate these similar lesions. We report here a case of a benign gastric ulcer in the fundus dome that was reminiscent of a malignant submucosal tumor, with a review of the literature. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2008;36:150-153)

• Keywords: Fundus ulcer, Submucosal tumor, Endoscopic ultrasonography