Pseudoxanthoma elasticum: a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding

Am J Gastroenterol. 1996 Aug;91(8):1631-4.

Abstract

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a rare connective tissue disorder. The main clinical features of this condition are characteristic skin lesions, angioid streaks of the fundus oculi, and occlusive vascular disease. Gastric hemorrhage is a rare complication. A gastroscopic examination was performed on two patients with PXE who presented with upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding. The two patients had submucosal yellowish nodular lesions similar to the xanthoma-like skin lesions seen in the disease. We suggest that a diagnosis of PXE be considered for any patient with gastrointestinal hemorrhage, especially if routine clinical and endoscopic examination fail to reveal the cause, and if raised yellow plaque-like lesions are seen in the stomach by endoscopy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Biopsy
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / diagnosis
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology*
  • Gastroscopy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum / complications*
  • Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum / pathology
  • Skin / pathology
  • Stomach / pathology