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Published on: September 22, 2023
Perforated gastric ulcer: An unusual cause of peritonitis in children
Abdelouhab Ammor1, Siham Nasri2, Maria Rkain3
1Department of Visceral and Urological Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Center of Oujda, Oujda, Morocco.
Insights
Perforated gastric ulcers are a rare but serious cause of peritonitis in children. Early diagnosis and surgical repair are crucial for favorable outcomes in pediatric acute abdomen cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Perforated gastric ulcer is an uncommon cause of peritonitis in pediatric patients.
- This condition represents a surgical emergency that can be life-threatening if not promptly recognized.
Observation:
- A case of a 12-year-old girl presenting with acute abdominal pain and peritonitis is described.
- Surgical exploration revealed a gastric perforation in the antrum, which was surgically repaired.
Findings:
- The patient's postoperative recovery was uneventful.
- Helicobacter pylori testing was negative, and histopathology did not isolate H. pylori.
Implications:
- Pediatric gastro-duodenal ulcer perforation should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen in children.
- Pneumoperitoneum on imaging warrants consideration of this rare but critical diagnosis.
Abstract:
Perforated gastric ulcer is a particularly rare cause of peritonitis in children. Only few cases have been reported in the literature. It is a serious emergency condition which can be overlooked leading to life-threatening consequences. We report a case of a 12-year-old girl who presented with acute abdominal pain and signs of peritonitis. Surgical exploration found a gastric perforation on the anterior side of the antrum. Primary repair of the perforation was performed after thorough decontamination and taking biopsies from its edges. The post-operative period was uneventful. Helicobacter pylori test was negative. Histopathology result was suggestive of ulceration in the gastric wall and did not isolate H. pylori. Gastro-duodenal ulcer perforation should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children presenting with acute abdomen, especially when imaging showing pneumoperitoneum.
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