EMPHYSEMATOUS GASTRITIS AS AN INFREQUENT CAUSE OF ACUTE ABDOMINAL PAIN

Emphysematous gastritis (EG) is a rare entity first described in 1889. It is characterized by the invasion of the gastric wall by gas-producing bacteria, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The clinical picture is characterized by acute abdominal pain associated with progressive systemic repercussions, severe sepsis, septic shock, multiple organ dysfunction, and death. Imaging methods play a fundamental role in the diagnosis. Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) is the method of choice, since it has the ability to show the presence of gas within the gastric wall (gastric pneumatosis) in association with increased wall thickness. These two features are key findings for diagnosis. Increased density of perigastric tissue is frequently present, due to infectious or inflammatory changes; sometimes portal pneumatosis is present as well. An update on EG is presented, emphasizing the role of MDCT in diagnosis.