[Epigastric pain caused by a gastric wall abscess]

Abstract

Background: Gastric wall abscesses are rare, but mortality rates from this type of gastritis are high. A foreign body or mucosal damage is often the cause of the abscess. Most patients have nonspecific symptoms, including general malaise and abdominal pain, sometimes accompanied by fever and weight loss.

Case description: After various tests a 45-year-old man with epigastric pain was shown to have a gastric wall abscess. After endoscopic drainage of the abscess, followed by intravenous antibiotics, he made a complete recovery.

Conclusion: Gastric wall abscesses are rare, but should be included in the differential diagnosis in patients with epigastric pain, because of their high mortality rate. Endoscopic ultrasonography is the preferred diagnostic method. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage, with or without placement of a drain, followed by intravenous antibiotics is the treatment of choice.