Fatal gastric artery dissection and rupture occurring as a paraesophageal mass: a case report and literature review.

Gastric artery aneurysms are rare, and the majority occur as life-threatening hemorrhage with few premonitory signs or symptoms. We report an unusual hemorrhagic manifestation of a ruptured gastric artery aneurysm, occurring as a pleural effusion and an apparent paraesophageal mass. Acute intraperitoneal and mediastinal bleeding from the extravisceral portion of the left gastric artery resulted in hemorrhagic shock, prompting an emergency laparotomy. Extensive medial degeneration in the gastric artery probably contributed to dissection and rupture.