Unraveling Emphysematous Gastritis: A Radiological Saga
Authors
Kishan Kumar, Dr. Kartik Bhatt, Dr. Tanuj KumarFiles
Key Information
Journal
Published in Vol. 68 No. 2 (2026) of Bombay Hospital Journal.
Bombay Hospital Journal (BHJ) is a peer-reviewed quarterly published Print and Online journal. It is an official Journal of Bombay Hospital institute of medical sciences. The aim of BHJ is to improve medical care by publishing sound scientific articles (both research and practice papers) and focusing on topics that are of great importance to its readership.
Editor-in-Chief- Dr Satish Vasant Khadilkar
About the JournalAbstract
Objective: Emphysematous gastritis is an uncommon but severe condition marked by the presence of intramural gas within the gastric wall, typically resulting from gas-forming bacterial infections. This study aims to analyse the radiological presentations and outcomes of three distinct cases to enhance diagnostic accuracy and guide management strategies.
Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of three patients diagnosed with emphysematous gastritis. Each case was evaluated using various imaging techniques including plain abdominal X-ray, and computed tomography (CT). The radiological findings were correlated with clinical outcomes and treatment approaches.
Results: Radiological evaluations revealed distinctive patterns: (1) Plain X-rays in two patients demonstrated diffuse gas within the gastric wall. (2) CT scans provided detailed insights into the extent of intramural gas, identified associated complications such as pneumoperitoneum, and assessed the involvement of adjacent organs. Clinical management varied; one patient responded well to conservative treatment with antibiotics and supportive care, while the other two required surgical intervention due to complications including perforation and systemic infection.
Conclusion: The imaging features of emphysematous gastritis are critical for early diagnosis and effective management. This case series highlights the utility of imaging modalities in evaluating the severity and extent of the disease, which can significantly influence treatment outcomes. Prompt and accurate radiological assessment is essential for optimizing patient care in this challenging condition.
References
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2. Qasim A, Penikelapate S, Sosa F, Jyala A, Ghazanfar H, Patel H, et al. Emphysematous Gastritis: A Case Series on a Rare but Critical Gastrointestinal Condition. Cureus. 15(12): 50409.
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4. Emphysematous gastritis | BMJ Case Reports [Internet]. [cited 2024 Jun 18]. Available from: https://casereports.bmj.com/content/15/8/e251314
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© The Author(s). 2024 Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons. org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and non-commercial reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/ zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.
