A 55-year-old man with a history of severe burns 3 weeks ago presents with an upper GI bleed. Endoscopy reveals multiple shallow erosions in the body of the stomach. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- A Curling ulcer ✓
- B Cushing ulcer
- C Dieulafoy lesion
- D Cameron lesion
Correct answer: A. Curling ulcer
Explanation
Curling ulcer refers to stress ulceration of the stomach or duodenum following severe burns. Cushing ulcer follows head injury or neurosurgery and tends to be deeper and more likely to perforate. Dieulafoy lesion is a large-caliber submucosal artery causing bleeding without an ulcer. Cameron lesion is linear erosion in a hiatal hernia. The history of burns is the discriminating feature.
Reference: Sabiston Textbook of Surgery, 21st ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.