[Interstitial gastric emphysema in children].

UNLABELLED

Gastric pneumatosis is an unusual clinical finding in infants and children and it appears in the three following similar conditions: pneumatosis cystoides; emphysematous gastritis, and gastric emphysema. MATERIALS METHODS AND RESULTS: The clinical pictures and radiographic appearance of this association are described in four patients in whom the clinical course made suspect interstitial gastric emphysema. Two patients had hypertrophic pyloric stenosis and two, unspecific erosive gastritis. In the first two patients, a Fredet-Ramstedt procedure was performed. All patients survived. Differential diagnostic considerations, the importance of correct radiological diagnosis, and the results of proper therapy are discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

Pyloric and duodenal obstruction in infants is the main etiologic factor in gastric emphysema.