Pseudomelanosis Duodeni Research Paper

Pseudomelanosis gastri and duodeni is a rare endoscopic mucosal finding, characterized by the accumulation of iron in macrophages of the lamina propria of the stomach and duodenum. The clinical significance and long term sequelae have not been clarified. However, this benign condition is associated with a variety of clinical conditions, such as essential hypertension, chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus, long term intake of iron supplements and furosemide. Pseudomelanosis duodeni appears to be more common than pseudo melanosis gastri given the fact that a few cases of psuedomelanosis gastri have been reported in the literature so far. We report a case of 88 year old lady with ESRD who is maintained on hemodialysis and presented with abdominal …show more content…
It has been suggested that such pigmentation may cause problems with intestinal absorption of nutrients.(6-7) Although the diagnosis of PDG is clear on endoscopy nevertheless differential diagnosis includes necrosis, metastatic melanoma, and ingestion of charcoal (8) and alkalis.(9) PGD is mostly asymptomatic but cases have been reported in the literature in which patients presented with dyspeptic symptoms.
Histologically, pigments are deposited in the lysosomes of macrophages in the lamina propria(10). The pigments mostly consist of iron, but small amounts of calcium, aluminum, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, silicon and silver have also been detected. It has been suggested that these trace elements are probably derived from the biological milieu and/or other drugs and/or food