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Fungal Infection: A Rare Cause Of Gastric Perforation
Rohan Habib1, Muhammad Waqas Afzal1, Fahad Ahmed2
1Department of Surgery, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, Pakistan.
Abstract:
Gastric perforation is among one of the common indications for a laparotomy. It can occur as a result of an erosive ulcer, long term usage of NSAIDs and malignancy among other causes. Here we report a case of a 70-year-old man with an invasive fungal infection as a cause of his gastric perforation based on histopathological evidence. Although very rare it should be kept in mind as an etiological factor of upper GI perforation especially in old age patients. To the best of our knowledge no previous data on such an association has been reported in our country.
Insights
Invasive fungal infection caused gastric perforation in a 70-year-old man, a rare but critical diagnosis for upper gastrointestinal perforations in elderly patients. This case highlights the need to consider fungal causes in differential diagnoses.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathology
Background:
- Gastric perforation is a frequent surgical emergency often linked to peptic ulcers, NSAID use, or malignancy.
- Laparotomy is a common surgical procedure for managing gastric perforations.
- Identifying the underlying cause is crucial for effective treatment and patient outcomes.
Observation:
- A 70-year-old male presented with gastric perforation.
- Histopathological examination revealed invasive fungal infection as the cause.
- This etiology is uncommon compared to typical causes like ulcers or NSAIDs.
Findings:
- The study documents a rare case of gastric perforation attributed to invasive fungal infection.
- Histopathological evidence confirmed the fungal etiology.
- This represents a novel finding in the country, with no prior reported cases.
Implications:
- Invasive fungal infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal perforation, particularly in elderly patients.
- Awareness of this rare cause can improve diagnostic accuracy and patient management.
- Further research may be warranted to understand the prevalence and risk factors for fungal-induced gastric perforations.
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