Gastrointestinal pseudomelanosis

Abhijeet Waghraya, Nina Georgeb, Nisheet Waghrayb

MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Department of Medicine (Abhijeet Waghray); bGastroenterology (Nina George, Nisheet Waghray), MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Correspondence to: Dr Abhijeet Waghray, MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 Metrohealth Drive, Cleveland, Ohio 44109, USA, Tel.: +1 216 207 1228, e-mail: awaghray@metrohealth.org
Received 7 June 2015; accepted 18 June 2015
© 2016 Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology

An 81-year-old Caucasian woman with a history of hypertension, stage IV chronic kidney disease and iron deficiency anemia was evaluated for a 3-month history of common bile duct dilation (16 mm). Physical exam was unremarkable with stable vital signs. Laboratory tests were significant for a hemoglobin ranging from 8.4-10.0 g/dL (reference range: 12.0-15.0 g/dL) and creatinine ranging from 2.44-2.75 mg/dL (reference range: 0.70-1.50 mg/dL). Medication list included lisinopril, metoprolol, hydralazine, clonidine with a 3-month prior increase in ferrous sulfate from q.d. to t.i.d. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy prior to endoscopic ultrasound demonstrated gastric and duodenal black pigmented mucosa (Fig. 1). Duodenal biopsies demonstrated submucosal pigment laden macrophages (Fig. 2; H&E staining, original magnification 20x) characteristic of pseudomelanosis of the stomach and duodenum.

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Figure 1 Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealing gastric (A) and duodenal (B) black pigmented mucosa

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Figure 2 Duodenal biopsy demonstrating submucosal pigment laden macrophages

Extra-colonic pseudomelanosis is a relatively rare but incidental finding on endoscopy. The most common extra-colonic location is the duodenum with only 2 cases reported involving the stomach, duodenum and jejunum. Associated clinical conditions include chronic renal failure, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and medications such as iron supplements (e.g. ferrous sulfate) and anti-hypertensives (hydralazine, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, propranolol) [1-2]. The etiology of pseudomelanosis involving the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract remains uncertain, but it is hypothesized that impaired iron transport and iron coupling with sulfa moieties in anti-hypertensive medications may be the underlying mechanism of mucosal pigmentation [3]. Pseudomelanosis of the upper GI tract is not associated with long-term complications and does not require specific therapy or follow up.

Acknowledgment

David Arboe MD for assistance in obtaining the pathology images.

References

1. Kang JY, Wu AY, Chia JL, Wee A, Sutherland IH, Hori R, Clinical and ultrastructural studies in duodenal pseudomelanosisGut 1987; 28: 1673-1681.

2. Giusto D, Jakate S, Pseudomelanosis duodeni: associated with multiple clinical conditions and unpredictable iron stainability - a case seriesEndoscopy 2008; 40: 165-167.

3. Almeida N, Figueiredo P, Lopes S, Small bowel pseudomelanosis and oral iron therapyDig Endosc 2009; 21: 128-130.

Notes

Conflict of Interest: None