Usefulness of Gastrografin Apray for Endoscopic Treatment of Gastric Anisakiasis

Abstract

The most effective treatment for gastric anisakiasis is usually direct endoscopic removal of Anisakis marina. Recently, we experienced one patient with gastric anisakiasis in whom demonstration and removal of the worm were very difficult. After gastrografin spray over the larvae burrowing into the swollen folds of the stomach, we could easily remove the larvae without resistence. Thereafter, in two patients with anisakiasis we scattered gastrografin over the worm in the gastric mucosa and obtained almost similar fidings. Patients with gastric anisakiasis may develop acute gastric mucosal lesions (AGML) after endoscopy. It is considered due to excessive extension of gastric wall caused by massive amount of air. These findings suggest that scattering of gastrografin over the lesion is very useful for patients with anisakiasis in whom the larvae have invaded between the swollen folds, in whom several larvae have invaded, or in whom the head of the larvae can not be easily hold. © 1994, Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society. All rights reserved.