Severe upper gastrointestinal tract necrosis secondary to gastric volvulus: A case report - 11/02/26
, Mongwa Mbikilile Justin a
, Kitumaini Munyahali John a
, Kavira Isse-Somo Prisca a, Bandeke Matabishi Destin a
, Alumeti Munyali Désiré a, b, ⁎ 
Highlights |
• | Gastric necrosis is a rare condition that most often occurs in patients with underlying psychiatric disorders. |
• | The atypical clinical picture characterized by epigastric pain radiating to the back and chocolate-colored vomit, with or without gastrointestinal disturbances, does not allow for timely diagnosis of this gastric necrosis. |
• | The etiologies described are acute stomach dilation, stomach volvulus, and sometimes the mechanisms are unknown. |
• | Death is the most serious complication observed. |
• | The usefulness of a thorough physical examination and an emergency abdominal CT scan allows for early surgical treatment, which would improve the prognosis. |
Abstract |
Background |
Gastric necrosis is a rare surgical emergency despite the stomach’s rich vascular supply. It typically results from acute gastric dilatation or volvulus. The condition occurs most frequently in patients with underlying psychiatric disorders, with a high risk of morbidity and mortality .
Case presentation |
This is a 44-year-old female patient with no psychiatric history who presented with clinical signs of a high-grade obstructive syndrome, characterized by epigastric pain radiating to the back, vomiting, and associated transit disturbances. The abdominal X-ray revealed massive gastric dilatation; however, limited resources prevented the team from performing a CT scan. Resuscitation was initiated concurrently with surgical exploration, which revealed extensive necrosis of the stomach, duodenum, and jejunum. A gastrectomy, duodenectomy, and partial jejunal resection were indicated following the failure of viability tests on these organs, with a possible esophagojejunal anastomosis planned. Unfortunately, before these intraoperative procedures could be carried out, the patient died.
Clinical discussion |
Large necrosis of the stomach is rarely reported with atypical clinical presentations in the existing literature; however, once necrosis has spread to the duodenum and jejunum, extensive resections are required, often with a poor prognosis.
Conclusion |
Large gastric necrosis is rare but highly lethal, often presenting atypically as intestinal obstruction. Abdominal CT is essential not only for diagnosis but also for evaluating intra-abdominal damage. Emergency management ranges from simple suturing to gastrectomy, duodenectomy, or jejunectomy. Given the poor prognosis, morbidity and mortality hinge on prompt recognition and early intervention .
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Gastric necrosis, Intestinal necrosis, Duodenum necrosis, Case report
Plan
Vol 21
Article 100247- 2026 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
