Isolated granulomatous gastritis in an adolescent

This is a case of a 14 1/2-year-old black male with isolated granulomatous gastritis. The case is unusual in several aspects. For the first time this disorder has been seen in the pediatric age group. The symptoms and signs were more acute and severe than previously reported, and the inflammatory process involved the entire gastric mucosa. Several findings suggested an (auto)immune pathogenesis. The patient had a good clinical and histologic response to prednisone therapy, but the disease recurred after two years when therapy was discontinued.