Dieulafoy ulcer

= upper GI bleeding caused by persistence of an arteriole in the stomach mucosa, that can bleed even with minuscule mucosal erosion; usually within 6 cm of the gastroesophageal junction on the lesser curvature of the stomach

– NOT associated with the usual risk factors for GI bleeding (NSAIDs, alcohol abuse)

– sometimes several endoscopic views are required before the diagnosis is made (since the mucosa looks quasi-normal, it is hard to diagnose if there is no active bleeding)

– significant cause of mortality prior to endoscopy