Emphysematous gastritis causing gastric and esophageal necrosis in a young boy

Emphysematous gastritis is a rapidly fatal and rare type of infectious gastritis. It may lead to involvement of esophagus, and organ necrosis, in its severe form. A 16-year-old, previously healthy, boy presenting with acute abdomen was diagnosed to have emphysematous gastritis on CT scan. During laparotomy, there was complete necrosis of the stomach, with patchy esophageal involvement. Aggressive management in the form of total gastrec- tomy, and later, transthoracic esophagectomy was done. However, it failed to alter the course of the illness, and the patient succumbed to the illness. Emphysematous gastritis is rare in young patients without known risk factors. AlsO. only two previous cases have been reported with esophageal involvement. We have presented this case with a brief review of literature. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2009, 72, 354-356).