Primary gastric rupture in 20 horses from Midwestern Brazil: case report / Ruptura gástrica primária em 20 equinos no Centro-Oeste do Brasil: relato de caso

An 11-year (2007-2018) survey of epidemiological, clinical and pathological findings of horses with primary gastric rupture (PGR) was conducted. Twenty horses presented PGR, nine (45%) horses were clinically evaluated, eleven (55%) were sent dead, and all animals were necropsied. PGR contributed to a prevalence of 0.31% (9/2,868) of all equid attendances, 1.83% (9/491) of colic cases, and 4.1% (20/487) of all equid necropsies. Highly fermentable feed (n=7), gastric impaction (n=4), and perforating gastric ulcer (n=1) were the main causes of PGR; whilst eight horses presented idiopathic gastric rupture. Clinically evaluated horses were tachycardic, tachypneic, febrile, dehydrated, with increased abdominal tension, abnormal mucous membranes and reduced to absent intestinal borborygmi. Improper dietary management, such as the ingestion of low-quality roughage and highly fermentable feedstuffs were detected as the main factors associated with PGR in Midwestern Brazil. It is important to raise awareness in horse owners about proper feed management to minimize PGR.(AU)

Foi realizado um levantamento de 11 anos (2007-2018) dos achados epidemiológicos, clínicos e patológicos de equinos com ruptura gástrica primária (RGP). Vinte equinos apresentaram RGP, dos quais nove (45%) foram avaliados clinicamente e 11 (55%) foram enviados mortos, sendo todos os animais necropsiados. A RGP contribuiu com prevalência de 0,31% de todos os atendimentos de equídeos (9/2.868), 1,83% (9/491) dos casos de cólica, e 4,1% (20/487) das necropsias em equídeos. Alimentos altamente fermentáveis (n=7), compactação gástrica (n=4) e perfuração de úlcera gástrica (n=1) foram as principais causas de RGP, enquanto oito equinos tiveram ruptura gástrica idiopática. Os equinos avaliados clinicamente apresentaram-se taquicárdicos, taquipneicos, febris, desidratados, com mucosas anormais, aumento da tensão abdominal e motilidade intestinal reduzida. O manejo inadequado da dieta, como a ingestão de forragens de baixa qualidade e alimentos altamente fermentáveis, foi o principal fator de risco associado à RGP no Centro-Oeste do Brasil. É importante aumentar a conscientização dos proprietários de equinos sobre o manejo alimentar adequado para minimizar a RGP.(AU)

Pneumoperitoneum due to Gastroesophageal Junction Rupture after Prolonged Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation with Supraglottic Airway

Gastric rupture after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a rare complication. In most cases, it is associated with bystander-provided CPR, bag-mask ventilation, and difficult airway management. To the best of our knowledge, there has been only one previous case report in the literature regarding gastric rupture after CPR via supraglottic airway. We present a case of a gastroesophageal junction rupture secondary to CPR with supraglottic airway. Healthcare providers should consider that gastric rupture can be a complication from performing CPR.

Resistance to rupture of the equine stomach / Resistência à ruptura do estômago equino

Equine colic is an important and common cause of disease and death in horses. Gastric rupture has been extensively described in the literature, and is known to affect expressive numbers of horses. Gastric dilatation, which precedes rupture, may be observed when the animal consumes large amounts of recently harvested grass or drinks water too fast, though diagnosis criteria also include infestation with Gastherophilus and the presence of ileus and distal intestinal obstructions. The objective of the present study was to determine the resistance to rupture of the equine stomach to air (mm Hg) and water (L) injection. Forty stomachs of young horses (20 geldings and 20 mares) with no defined breed were analyzed. Total organ length (cm), weight (g), greater curved length (cm), lesser curved length (cm) and height (cm) were measured, with no statistical difference between males and females (p > .05). However, stomachs of horses were larger than those of mares and therefore presented higher volumetric capacity (p<0.05). No difference between males and females was observed in the pressure assay (93mmg Hg). Rupture occurred along the greater curvature (99%) and on the visceral (80%) and diaphragmatic (20%) surfaces, across all layers of the gastric wall. Although the equine stomach is relatively small, the organ is considerably resistant to rupture, whether by injection of air or liquid. Horses and mares exhibit similar resistance values, although the stomach of females has smaller volumetric capacity.(AU)

A cólica é um dos problemas mais comuns na clínica de equinos sendo responsável por grande número de mortes. A ruptura gástrica tem sido amplamente descrita na literatura e acomete número expressivo de animais. A dilatação gástrica, que antecede a ruptura, pode advir do consumo excessivo de capim recém-cortado, ingestão rápida de água, infestação por Gastherophilus, ocorrência de íleo paralítico e obstruções intestinais distais. A ruptura gástrica tem sido amplamente descrita na literatura e acomete um número expressivo de animais. Este estudo objetivou determinar a resistência à ruptura do estômago equino mediante a insuflação de ar atmosférico (mmHg) e do preenchimento com água (L). Foram utilizados 40 estômagos de equinos adultos jovens (20 machos castrados e 20 fêmeas) sem raça definida. Medidas relativas ao comprimento total do órgão (cm), peso do órgão (g), curvatura maior (cm), curvatura menor (cm) e altura (cm) foram aferidas e não diferiram entre machos e fêmeas (p>0,05). No entanto, os estômagos dos machos apresentaram medidas superiores as das fêmeas e por assim serem, comportaram um maior volume de água (p<0,05). No teste de resistência mediante insuflação de ar atmosférico não houve diferença entre machos e fêmeas (93mmHg). Os rompimentos ocorreram ao longo da curvatura maior (99%) nas faces visceral (80%) e diafragmática (20%) e abrangeram todas as camadas da parede gástrica. Apesar de ser um órgão relativamente pequeno, o estômago dos equinos apresenta considerável resistência à ruptura, seja por líquido ou por ar atmosférico. Machos e fêmeas possuem resistência gástrica semelhante, embora o estômago das fêmeas equinas comporte um menor volume.(AU)

Advanced Gastric Cancer Perforation Mimicking Abdominal Wall Abscess

Surgeons occasionally encounter a patient with a gastric cancer invading an adjacent organ, such as the pancreas, liver, or transverse colon. Although there is no established guideline for treatment of invasive gastric cancer, combined resection with radical gastrectomy is conventionally performed for curative purposes. We recently treated a patient with a large gastric cancer invading the abdominal wall, which was initially diagnosed as a simple abdominal wall abscess. Computed tomography showed that an abscess had formed adjacent to the greater curvature of the stomach. During surgery, we made an incision on the abdominal wall to drain the abscess, and performed curative total gastrectomy with partial excision of the involved abdominal wall. The patient received intensive treatment and wound management postoperatively with no surgery-related adverse events. However, the patient could not receive adjuvant chemotherapy and expired on the 82nd postoperative day.

Comparison of gastric and other bowel perforations in preterm infants: a review of 20 years' experience in a single institution / 소아과

PURPOSE: In this study, we aimed to review the clinical presentation of preterm infants with gastrointestinal perforations and compare the clinical features of gastric perforation with other intestinal perforations. METHODS: The medical records of preterm neonates with pneumoperitoneum, admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) between January 1994 and December 2013, were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-one preterm infants underwent exploratory laparotomy to investigate the cause of the pneumoperitoneum. The sample consisted of five patients (23.8%) with gastric perforation and 16 patients (76.2%) with intestinal perforation. No statistical differences were found in the birth history and other perinatal factors between the two groups. Underlying necrotizing enterocolitis, bilious vomiting, and paralytic ileus preceding the perforation were statistically more common in the intestinal perforation group. All preterm infants with gastric perforation survived to discharge; however, six preterm infants with intestinal perforation expired during treatment in the NICU. In the gastric perforation group, sudden pneumoperitoneum was the most common finding, and the mean age at diagnosis was 4.4+/-1.7 days of life. The location and size of the perforations varied, and simple closure or partial gastrectomy was performed. CONCLUSION: Patients with gastric perforation did not have a common clinical finding preceding the perforation diagnosis. Although mortality in previous studies was high, all patients survived to discharge in the present study. When a preterm infant aged less than one week presents with sudden abdominal distension and pneumoperitoneum, gastric perforation should first be excluded. Prompt exploratory laparotomy will increase the survival rates of these infants.

Effects of moxibustion at Shenque (CV8) on gastrointestinal function in rats undergoing gastric perforation repair / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the effects of moxibustion at Shenque (CV8) in promoting gastrointestinal function recovery in rats following gastric perforation repair and explore the underlying mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty male SD rats with glacial acetic acid-induced gastric perforation underwent surgical repair of the perforation. The rats were then randomized 8 days later into model group (n=10), domperidone group (n=10), and moxibustion group(n=10) and treated with physiologic saline, domperidone suspension, and moxibustion at Shenque (CV8), respectively. Gastric antral myoelectric activities of the rats were observed and peripheral blood levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and T lymphocyte subpopulation were determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Gastric antral myoelectric activities in rats receiving moxibustion were stronger than those in the model group (P<0.05) but comparable with those in domperidone group (P>0.05). TNF-α and IL-6 level were decreased significantly and T lymphocyte subpopulations increased significantly in moxibustion group compared with those in the model and domperidone groups (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Moxibustion at Shenque (CV8) can promote the recovery of gastrointestinal functions in rats undergoing gastric perforation repair possibly by enhancing gastrointestinal electric activity, suppressing inflammation, and improving the cellular immune function, and can therefore serve as a simple and effective adjuvant therapy during the perioperative period.</p>

Ruptura gástrica idiopática en niño preescolar: informe de un caso / Idiopathic gastric rupture in toddler: case report

La ruptura gástrica idiopática es una patología muy poco frecuenteen niños. La gran mayoría de los casos ocurre en el período neonatal. Comunicamos el caso de una paciente preescolar de 2 años, sexo femenino, sin antecedentes mórbidos. Consultócon antecedente de 48 h de dolor abdominal, náuseas y vómitos.Ingresó al servicio de urgencia en malas condiciones generales, con un abdomen distendido y signos de irritación peritoneal. Se realizó laparotomía exploradora de emergencia que reveló ruptura gástrica en pared posterior ocasionada por múltiples perforaciones. Se efectuó gastrectomía parcial. Ingresó a UCIen shock. Recibió asistencia ventilatoria mecánica, reanimación con fluidos (260 ml/kg en 12 h), fármacos vasoactivos y tratamiento antibiótico con cefotaxima-metronidazol. El laboratorio evidenció leucopenia y trombopenia. El estudio etiológico fue negativo para ingesta de tóxicos y medicamentos. Se descartócolagenopatía y su gastrinemia fue normal. Su postoperatorio se caracterizó por persistencia de fiebre originada porcolección subfrénica izquierda (cultivo positivo para Candida galabrata). Se realizó limpieza quirúrgica mediante laparotomía y drenaje percutáneo de las colecciones residuales. Completótres semanas de terapia antibiótica y antifúngica con evolución satisfactoria. El control ambulatorio de la paciente a los 12 meses fue normal.

Expression of c-kit and Cx43 in neonates with spontaneous gastric perforation / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinical significance of interstitial cell of Cajal (ICC) in spontaneous neonatal gastric perforation by examining the expression of c-kit and Cx43 in neonates with this disorder.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The gastric specimens of 19 cases of neonatal gastric perforation from 2001 to 2010 and 8 cases of accidental death without digestive tract malformations (control) were collected. Immunohistochemical staining was employed to examine the expression of c-kit and Cx43 (immunomarkers of ICCs) in gastric tissues.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The muscular layer of the stomach wall became thinner or deficient in the gastric perforation group. C-kit and Cx43 positive cells in gastric tissues decreased significantly in the gastric perforation group compared with those in the control group (P＜0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The development of spontaneous neonatal gastric perforation is associated with the decreased quantity of ICCs and damaged gap junction structure of the stomach wall.</p>

A Case of Gastric Lymphoepithelioma-like Carcinoma Presenting as Panperitonitis by Perforation of Stomach / 대한소화기학회지

Gastric lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma is a rare carcinoma among gastric malignant tumor but has a good prognosis. The carcinoma has histologic feature characterized by small nest of cancer cells mixed with lymphoid stroma. We report a case with lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of stomach initially presenting as panperitonitis because of spontaneous tumor perforation. A 56-year-old man visited our emergency room because of epigastric pain. A preoperative abdominal CT scan showed a massive pneumoperitoneum in the upper abdomen, and the presence of gastric cancer in the lesser curvature of the stomach. An emergent laparotomy was performed followed by radical subtotal gastrectomy. Pathologic examination revealed that the tumor was a lymphoepithelioma-like gastric carcinoma.

Clinicopathological characteristics and potential etiologies of neonatal spontaneous gastric perforation / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the etiology and clinicopathological features of neonatal spontaneous gastric perforation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 15 cases with neonatal gastric perforation seen from 2001 to 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Immunohistochemical staining was adopted for all the cases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The typical clinical manifestations of this disease were vomiting, abdominal distention and respiratory distress. Abdominal orthostatic X-ray showed free gas under diaphragm and seroperitoneum. In most of the cases the stomach perforation occurred at the greater curvature. Eight of the cases died in this group, the mortality was 53.33%. Six of the deaths occurred within 1 day after birth with symptoms. There were thinning and defect of stomach wall muscle and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) reduction as demonstrated by microscope.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Spontaneous neonatal gastric perforation is associated with abnormal gastric wall structure and reduction of ICC. Prognosis is closely related to the time of onset and the timely surgical operation.</p>

Effect of preoperative intraperitoneal injection of Sapylin in advanced gastric cancer / 癌症

<p><b>BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE</b>Sapylin is one of the biological response modifiers. It has been used in the comprehensive treatment for advanced cancer, and its clinical efficacy has been proved. This study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative intraperitoneal injection of Sapylin in treatment of advanced gastric cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-nine patients eligible for radical gastrectomy were randomly divided into the treatment group (Sapylin + mitomycin C, 40 patients) and the control group (mitomycin C alone, 39 patients). In the treatment group, 5 KE Sapylin was injected intraperitoneally 48 h before operation and 4 mg of mitomycin C was injected into peritoneal cavity before the closure of the peritoneum. In the control group, only 4 mg mitomycin C was injected into peritoneal cavity before the closure of the peritonium.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no operative mortality or duodenal stump leakage in the two groups. Postoperative complications were anastomotic leakage (2.5%, 1/40) and incision rupture (2.5%, 1/40) in the treatment group, and incision rupture (2.6%, 1/39) in the control group, with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). The 3-year survival rate was significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (76.5% vs. 49.4%, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Preoperative intraperitoneal injection of Sapylin can raise the 3-year survival rate after radical gastrectomy , without increasing the incidence rate of operative complications. Preoperative intraperitoneal injection of Sapylin is therefore a valuable therapy for advanced gastric cancer in clinic.</p>

A Case of Gastric Rupture after Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation by a Bystander

The presence of a bystander who can implement cardiopulmonary resuscitation would appear to increase chances of survival. However, there have been many reported complications associated with bystander CPR. Gastric rupture is a rare complication following cardiopulmonary resuscitation. An incidence of 0.1% has been reported in the literature. The majority of reported cases have been associated with inappropriate airway management or esophageal intubation. Gastric rupture can occur during chest compressions when the stomach is overinflated due to difficult airway management or esophageal intubation. Here we present the case of a patient with sudden cardiac arrest who experienced gastric rupture and pneumoperitoneum after bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

A Refeeding Syndrome in the Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa Complicated by Spontaneous Gastric Rupture / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

We report a rare case of gastric perforation in a 13-year-old boy with anorexia nervosa. He was admitted to our hospital with the chief complaint of body weight loss. He had lower abdominal pain after 2 days. An abdominal CT revealed diffuse peritonitis. At laparotomy, the stomach was dilated and perforated. Postoperatively, the patient suffered from malnutrition. We monitored electrolytes, minerals, and fluids closely before and during the initiation of feedings to prevent morbidity and mortality associated with refeeding syndrome. We present an extremely rare complication that relates to this phenomenon, describing an acute gastric dilatation that led to gastric necrosis and perforation through an unusual mechanism in an extremely anorectic teenager during hospitalization for refeeding.

Cálculo no recuperado en colecistectomía y absceso intraaabdominal / Unretrieved gallstone in cholecystectomy and intraabdominal abscess

La perforación de la vesícula biliar es una complicación frecuente durante la colecistectomía laparoscópica y puede asociarse con cálculos caídos a la cavidad peritoneal, que a veces no son recuperados. Esto no ha sido considerado un problema relevante pero pueden presentarse complicaciones con cuadros clínicos inespecíficos que se manifiestan meses o años después de la cirugía y requieren tratamiento quirúrgico. Se presenta el caso de un paciente con absceso intraabdominal secundario a un cálculo no recuperado. Se revisa el manejo y la prevención de esta complicación.

Gallbladder perforation is a frequent complication during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and can be associated with dropped gallstones to the peritoneal cavity that sometimes are unretrieved. This issue has not been considered a relevant problem, but complications can occur with nonspecific clinical presentation, showing up months or years after surgery and sometimes require surgical treatment. A case report is presented of a patient with an intraabdominal abscess secondary to an unretrieved gallstone. Management and prevention are also reviewed.

Ruptura gástrica por reanimação cardiopulmonar: relato de caso / Gastric rupture following cardiopulmonary resuscitation: case report

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A ruptura gástrica é uma rara complicação das manobras de reanimação cardiopulmonar (RCP), com incidência de 0,1 por cento dos casos. O desconhecimento dessa possível complicação durante essas manobras impede sua identificação e reduz a probabilidade de sobrevivência do paciente. O objetivo deste trabalho foi abordar um caso de abdômen agudo por ruptura gástrica após manobra de RCP, prontamente diagnosticada e tratada. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo feminino, de 76 anos, internada em caráter de urgência com diagnóstico inicial de pneumonia e acidente vascular encefálico. Evoluiu com quadro de insuficiência respiratória e parada cardiorrespiratória (PCR), a qual foi prontamente revertida através de manobras de RCP. Apesar da reversão da PCR, reanimação volêmica adequada, suporte com vasopressores e melhora respiratória após suporte ventilatório, a paciente permaneceu com quadro hemodinâmico instável. O exame físico revelou diminuição da macicez hepática e distensão abdominal. A radiografia de tórax evidenciou presença de pneumoperitônio. Diagnóstico de abdômen agudo perpetuando a instabilidade hemodinâmica foi pressuposto, sendo a paciente, então, encaminhada à cirurgia de emergência com hipótese diagnóstica de ruptura gástrica traumática, evidenciada macroscopicamente e confirmada por análise histopatológica da peça cirúrgica. CONCLUSÕES: No caso relatado, o pronto diagnóstico e o tratamento adequado de emergência levaram ao prognóstico favorável. Ressalta-se a importância do conhecimento dessa possível complicação com ênfase na realização do exame físico além da monitorização e vigília do paciente após PCR. Constante atualização do ensino das técnicas adequadas de RCP através de programas de educação médica continuada é crucial para que manobras incorretas sejam evitadas.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Gastric rupture is a rare complication from cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), with a reported incidence of 0.1 percent. Unawareness of this possible complication during these maneuvers delays its recognition and reduces the patientÆs surviving chance. The aim of this report is to describe a case of acute abdomen due to gastric rupture following CPR maneuvers that was promptly diagnosed and treated. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 76-year-old patient that was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia and also to rule out a possible brain vascular accident (BVA). In the first day after admission she developed acute respiratory failure and cardiac arrest, being successfully resuscitated and subsequently transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) by the medical ward team. Despite successful CPR, adequate volume resuscitation, vasopressor support and respiratory function improvement she remained with significant hemodynamic instability. Physical examination hours after CPR showed a hypertimpanic liver percussion, abdominal distension, tachycardia and hypotension. Chest X-Ray revealed pneumoperitoneum, and gastric perforation was identified by an exploratory laparotomy. Histopathology confirmed traumatic gastric injury. CONCLUSIONS: We report a rare case of traumatic gastric rupture after CPR maneuvers in which prompt diagnosis and emergent treatment lead to a favorable outcome. This case brings out the need to increase awareness of this life-threatening complication with emphasis on the importance of a thorough physical examination after CPR maneuvers. Reinforcement of appropriate CPR technique is crucial to avoid incorrect maneuvers through continued medical education.

Hemostasia com injeção da solução de cianoacrilato em pacientes com ruptura de varizes gástricas: estudo de série de casos / Hemostasis with cyanoacrylate solution injection in patients with gastric varices bleeding: study of a series

A hemorragia digestiva alta (HDA) é uma patologia freqüente nas emergências hospitalares, responsável por cerca de 300.000 internamentos por ano e com a mortalidade global de 1 3,2%. As causas mais freqüentes de HDA são úlcera péptica e ruptura de varizes esofagogástricas (RVEG), variando de 9 a 46%. A mortalidade na HDA por RVEG é maior que a global, entre 30 e 50%. No caso da ruptura por varizes gástricas, a hemostasia com a injeção da solução de cianoacrilato mais lipiodol (SCl) é importante para reduzir a morbimortalidade aguda, o número de unidades de hemoderivados transfundidas e tempo de internação. Este estudo tem como objetivo verificar a eficácia da hemostasia com injeção da SCl na RVEG, nas primeiras 72 horas após o procedimento. Métodos: Estudo observacional, prospectivo, tipo série de casos, incluindo 30 pacientes com hipertensão portal, submetidos a obliteração com a injeção da SCl, no período de fevereiro de 2004 a março de 2005/ no SED-CHD-HGRS. Resultados: Obteve-se a hemostasia em 100% (30/30) dos pacientes nas primeiras 72 horas. A idade média foi de 50,07 anos, sexo masculino em 66,7% (20/30) e feminino em 33/9% (10/30). Dentre as causas da hemorragia, varizes gástricas tipo I corresponderam a 10% (3/30)/ tipo 11 a 46% (14 / 30)/ tipo 111 a 10% (3/30), tipo I e 11 a 13/3% (4/30)/ úlcera pós-esclerose a 3,3% (1/30) e variz subcárdica a 16/7% (5/30). A etiologia da hipertensão portal foi de 43,3% (13/30) para doença crônica parenquimatosa do fígado de etiologia não definida (DCPFND), de 23,3% (7/30) DPCF por doença alcoólica do fígado (DAF), de 20% (6/30) por esquistossomose e de 13/3% (4/30) DCPF por vírus C. A quantidade média injetada da SCl foi de 2/63ml. Não houve dano ao endoscópio; entretanto, houve dano em 53,4% dos cateteres injetores da SCl. Conclusão: A hemostasia com injeção da SCl para obliteração na ruptura de varizes gástricas na HDA é eficaz, tecnicamente segura e diminui o ressangramento nas primeiras horas do quadro agudo

Gasric Rupture as the Result of a Binge-Eating after a Abstinence Prayer

Spontaneous gastric rupture is a very rare disease and may be related to the consumption of large meals. We experienced a rare case of gastric rupture due to binge eating. A 57-year-old woman visited the emergency department with an abdominal distention following binge eating after a two day abstinence prayer. A plain abdominal X-ray showed free air in the subphrenic space and a markedly distended stomach. At laparotomy, the stomach was dilatated and ruptured about 7 cm from the esophagogastric junction to the lesser curvature. A total gastrectomy was done, but at 11 days, the patient expired due to sepsis. Causes of acute gastric dilatation are various and include binge eating. Massive gastric dilatation leads to a decrease in intramural blood flow and gastric infarction. Symptoms of gastric dilatation may be mild, but are progressive. Diagnosis can be made by observing free air or a distended stomach on a simple abdominal X-ray. Treatment should begin with nasogastric decompression and fluid resuscitation. If conservative treatment fails or if gastric infarction or perforation is suspected, surgical intervention is mandatory.