Gastric emphysema is the presence of gas within the wall of the stomach not due to infection.
Causes and conditions associated with gastric emphysema:
(1) nasogastric tube placement
(2) other instrumentation of the stomach
(3) obstructing lesion in the antrum, pylorus or small intestine
(4) pulmonary disease
(5) trauma
The presence of the gas may be:
(1) asymptomatic and found incidentally at surgery or on imaging studies
(2) associated with vomiting and gastric distension
Differential diagnosis:
(1) emphysematous gastritis
Gastric emphysema is a relatively benign process.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
Specialty: Gastroenterology
