[Isolated Crohn disease attack of the stomach--differential diagnostic and therapeutic problems]

There are about 15-30 patients reported in the literature, who suffered from well established, isolated Crohn's disease of the stomach. Another case is reported here, who had gastrectomy, since a diagnosis of gastric carcinoma had been made before and during surgery. When histological findings are negative, very extensive diagnostic procedures have to be performed in order to exclude this entity and to avoid useless gastric surgery. A clearcut recommendation as to surgery in cases of stenosis of the pyloric region cannot be given; the experience from the case described however would tend to favour treatment by gastrectomy.