Abstract

Gastric lipoma is a typical benign submucosal tumor that is usually asymptomatic and it is generally detected incidentally when performing upper GI endoscopy. However, depending on its size and location, an atypical gastrointestinal lipoma can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, intestinal obstruction, intussuception and life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding. This tumor is diagnosed and differentiated from other malignant and submucosal tumors on the basis of its characteristic findings at endoscopy and on computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and endoscopic ultrasonography. We report here on the case of a 58-year-old female with epigastric discomfort and melena; a 4.5×4 cm ulcero-fungating mass was detected on the anterior wall of the gastric antrum. Surgical subtotal gastrectomy was performed and the lesion was diagnosed as gastric lipoma. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2009;38:214-217)

• Keywords: Gastric lipoma, Submucosal tumor, Bleeding