5. Acute Gastric Ulcers - Gross
Acute ulcers are multiple, small, circular mucosal defects that
typically measure less than 1cm. The ulcer base is stained a dark
brown by the acid digestion of extruded blood. The necrosis involves
the entire thickness of the mucosa. When the necrosis only involves
the superficial mucosa, the lesion is an erosion. Acute gastric
ulcers are usually not associated with fibrosis, which characterizes
a chronic peptic ulcer. Acute, or stress, ulcers are most commonly
encountered in patients with shock, burn, sepsis, intracranial
conditions, and aspirin. They may be associated with lethal bleeding.
Are acute gastric ulcers associated with Helicobacter pylori?
Answer
