Emphysematous gastritis in a leukemic child

Abstract

Emphysematous gastritis associated with gram-negative sepsis is described in a leukemic child on chemotherapy and steroids. Bubbly-appearing air and thickening of the gastric wall were radiographically demonstrated. This is analogous to the demonstration of air within the thickened bowel wall in necrotizing enterocolitis, which is not unusual in seriously ill leukemic children. Gastric involvement has not been previously reported.