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Spontaneous Gastric Perforation in Two Adolescents

Amaka Akalonu1, Mona Yasrebi2, Zarela Molle Rios1

  • 1Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, USA.

The American Journal of Case Reports
|October 1, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Spontaneous gastric perforation is rare in adolescents. This study reports two cases, emphasizing its inclusion in differential diagnoses for severe abdominal pain with pneumoperitoneum in this age group.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Gastroenterology
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Spontaneous gastric perforation is a rare clinical condition, predominantly documented in neonates.
  • Limited data exists for spontaneous gastric perforation in preschool children, with no reported cases in older children and adolescents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report the clinical presentation and course of spontaneous gastric perforation in adolescent patients.
  • To raise awareness of spontaneous gastric perforation as a differential diagnosis in adolescents presenting with acute abdominal emergencies.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of two adolescent patients with spontaneous gastric perforation.
  • Clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging (pneumoperitoneum), and surgical findings were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Both patients presented with acute, severe abdominal pain and distension.
  • Surgical exploration revealed gastric perforation without identifiable causes like ulcers or inflammation.

Conclusions:

  • Spontaneous gastric perforation should be considered in the differential diagnosis of adolescent patients with acute abdominal pain and pneumoperitoneum.
  • Early surgical intervention is crucial for patients presenting with suspected gastric perforation.

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