[Gastric pneumatosis and gas in the portal venous system secondary to peptic ulcer].

Abstract

A 72-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with recurrent vomiting without abdominal pain. On physical examination, the patient was afebrile and her abdomen was soft and nontender with a giant abdominal-wall hernia. Upper endoscopy showed a deep, 3-cm ulcer at the gastric angulus. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed gastric dilatation with gas in the wall and a large part of the digestive tract within the hernia sac. CT imaging also revealed gas throughout the portal venous system. The patient declined surgery. Management was conservative and included correction of fluid and electrolyte balance, and nasogastric drainage for gastric decompression with good response.