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Case Reports
. 2019 Apr 12;13(1):207-213.
doi: 10.1159/000499446. eCollection 2019 Jan-Apr.

Emphysematous Gastritis Associated with Sarcina ventriculi

Kevin Singh  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Emphysematous Gastritis Associated with Sarcina ventriculi

Kevin Singh. Case Rep Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Emphysematous gastritis is a rare and lethal gastrointestinal emergency if not promptly identified and managed. In rare cases, emphysematous gastritis is associated with Sarcina ventriculi infection, usually in patients with delayed gastric emptying. Here we report a lethal case of S. ventriculi-associated emphysematous gastritis in the absence of delayed gastric emptying in which the diagnosis was confirmed postmortem. This case provides an opportunity to review the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, and management of emphysematous gastritis so that the condition can be promptly diagnosed and managed to prevent significant morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: Emphysematous gastritis; Gastric emphysema; Sarcina ventriculi.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Abdominal CT scan revealing marked air within the gastric wall (green arrows), extensive prominent looping of the small bowel (red arrows), and air within the portal vein (blue arrows).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Gross specimen of the stomach retrieved from autopsy showing areas of hyperemia and necrosis suggestive of emphysematous gastritis.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Photomicrographs of the stomach stained with hematoxylin and eosin. a 4× magnification showing air sacs within the stomach suggestive of emphysematous gastritis. b 40× magnification of the stomach specimen demonstrating the characteristic features of bacterial overgrowth by S. ventriculi, namely basophilic, cuboid-shaped organisms in a tetrad formation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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