A 50-year-old female presented with symptomatic anemia and hematemesis due to a 3.3 cm gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), which was located in the fundus. Adequate endoscopic views were only achieved in the retroflexed position and attempts at hemostasis via endoscopic clips were unsuccessful. Subsequently, TC-325 hemostatic powder was sprayed on the bleeding lesion and given retroflexed positioning, the powder also coated the esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) scope where it abutted the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ). Hemostasis was successful, but the scope was unable to be withdrawn due to adherence to the surrounding mucosa. With torque maneuvering and a moderate amount of withdrawal force, the scope was successfully freed. The patient was started on imatinib mesylate and did not experience further bleeding episodes. This case highlights the challenge of achieving hemostasis in a bleeding GIST, the beneficial role of hemostatic powder spray, and the need for caution when utilizing it in a retroflexed manner.
Keywords: bleeding gist; endoscopic hemostasis; imatinib therapy; treatment complication; upper endoscopy.
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