Phlegmonous gastritis after endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer

Abstract

A 74-year-old man with diabetic nephropathy developed epigastric pain and high fever after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer. Gastroscopy, endoscopic ultrasonography and computed tomography showed ulceration with a purulent lake, thickened entire gastric mucosal layers suggesting focal abscess formation, leading to the diagnosis of phlegmonous gastritis. He underwent total gastrectomy as an emergency. Histological findings of the resected specimen showed severe inflammatory cell infiltration and multiple focal abscess formation spreading to the entire gastric wall. In patients with poorer general conditions, phlegmonous gastritis should be considered as a serious complication after ESD, indicating a requirement of antibiotic prophylaxis.