Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr.  2023 Sep;26(5):284-289. 10.5223/pghn.2023.26.5.284.

Gastric Pneumatosis and Its Gastrofibroscopic Findings in LifeThreatening Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome Complicated by Anorexia Nervosa in a Child

• Seo JH
• Lee I
• Choi S
• Yang S
• Kim YJ

• KMID: 2545997
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5223/pghn.2023.26.5.284

Abstract

A 14-year-old girl was admitted to the emergency department for excessive bile-containing vomiting and severe abdominal pain. She had been healthy until she intentionally lost 25 kg over a 6-month period. Thick, bloody bile-mixed food particles were drained from the stomach through a nasogastric tube. Abdominal computed tomography revealed huge stomach dilatation with extensive gastric pneumatosis, possible near rupture, acute pancreatitis, and a very narrow third of the duodenum, indicating superior mesenteric syndrome. Gastrofibroscopy revealed multiple hemorrhagic ulcers and numerous beadlike cystic lesions in the stomach. Laboratory examination results were notable for severe deficiencies in critical nutrients, including iron, zinc, proteins, and prealbumin, as well as undernutrition-associated endocrine complications such as hypothyroidism and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Excessive vomiting ceased after the endoscopic removal of stagnant gastric contents. Gastric pneumatosis improved after 3 days of supportive care.

Keyword

Gastric dilatation; Superior mesenteric artery syndrome; Anorexia nervosa; Malnutrition; Child