Gastric mucosal necrosis with vascular degeneration induced by doxycycline

Am J Surg Pathol. 2013 Feb;37(2):259-63. doi: 10.1097/PAS.0b013e31826602d8.

Abstract

We encountered 2 patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy for epigastric abdominal pain, which showed gastric mucosal erosions covered with adherent exudate. Microscopic examination of biopsies from the lesions obtained from the 2 cases revealed characteristic pathologic abnormalities that shared striking similarities. These included superficial mucosal necrosis and capillary vascular degenerative change in a background of reactive or chemical gastropathy. Further review of records identified ongoing oral doxycycline use in both patients. After cessation of the drug both patients' symptoms resolved. A follow-up esophagogastroduodenoscopy in 1 patient showed normal gastric mucosa. This pattern of injury had not been previously described and seems to be characteristic for doxycycline-induced gastric mucosal toxicity. Recognition of the clinical, endoscopic, and pathologic features described here may facilitate prompt diagnosis and management of this condition.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / diagnosis
  • Abdominal Pain / etiology
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects*
  • Capillaries / drug effects
  • Capillaries / pathology
  • Doxycycline / adverse effects*
  • Endoscopy, Digestive System
  • Esophagitis / chemically induced
  • Esophagitis / diagnosis
  • Female
  • Gastric Mucosa / blood supply
  • Gastric Mucosa / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Necrosis / chemically induced
  • Necrosis / pathology
  • Peripheral Vascular Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Remission Induction
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Withholding Treatment

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Doxycycline