Phlegmonous gastritis

A case of phlegmonous gastritis associated with marked gastric distension

Phlegmonous gastritis is an acute and severe infectious disease that is occasionally fatal if the diagnosis is delayed. Alcohol consumption, an immunocompromised state (e.g., due to HIV infection, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, or adult T-cell lymphoma), and mucosal injury of the stomach are reported to be predisposing factors. The main treatments for phlegmonous gastritis are antibiotics administration or surgery. In this case, the patient's stomach was markedly distended due to long-lasting gastric-outlet obstruction, which is thought to be the predisposing factor for phlegmonous gastritis. We inserted a metal stent at the obstructed site palliatively due to strong refusal by the patient for surgery. The patient recovered after stenting and antibiotic therapy.

Acute diffuse phlegmonous gastritis

A case of acute diffuse phlegmonous gastritis in a 54 year old man with an abrupt onset of upper abdominal pain, high fever and complete anorexia was presented. The stomach wall was remarkably thickened and rigid. Histologically there was massive infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the submucosa and muscularis of the stomach wall. The lamina muscularis mucosae was fragmented by the numerous small focal abscesses.

Intramural gastric abscess

Two patients who underwent surgical resection of intramural gastric abscesses are described. Intramural gastric abscesses is a rare problem that simulates more common surgical conditions. The salient features of the symptoms, signs, and findings are reviewed.