1. [Asymptomatic gastric phytobezoar and anaemia due to iron deficiency revealing an autoimmune gastritis].
- Author
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Granel B, Serratrice J, Disdier P, Laugier R, and Weiller PJ
- Subjects
- Adult, Autoimmune Diseases immunology, Female, Gastrins blood, Gastritis immunology, Humans, Plants, Anemia, Iron-Deficiency complications, Anemia, Iron-Deficiency diagnosis, Autoimmune Diseases complications, Autoimmune Diseases diagnosis, Bezoars etiology, Bezoars pathology, Gastritis complications, Gastritis diagnosis, Vitamin B 12 Deficiency complications, Vitamin B 12 Deficiency diagnosis
- Abstract
Unlabelled: This observation recalls that gastric phytobezoar should lead to a search for an underlying disease and that a iron deficiency can be associated and hide macrocytosis related to a vitamin B12 deficiency., Case Report: A 19 year-old woman consulted for asthenia. Microcyte anaemia associated with iron deficiency was diagnosed. Upper digestive endoscopy revealed severe, totally asymptomatic phytobezoar. Biological investigations revealed a vitamin B12 deficiency, high serum gastrin level and strong positivity for gastric antiparietal anti-cell antibodies, suggestive of an autoimmune gastritis. Total immunoglobulin A deficiency was also noted., Discussion: Autoimmune gastritis is responsible for megaloblastic anaemia (vitamin B12 deficiency) but can also provoke microcytic (iron-deficiency) anaemia due to insufficient absorption of the latter and related to gastric achlorhydria. Phytobezoar might also be related to achlorhydria and/or gastroparesia associated with autoimmune gastritis. Hence, autoimmune gastritis should be searched for when confronted with unexplained gastric bezoar or iron-deficiency anaemia.
- Published
- 2004
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