Gastric Pneumatosis: An Atypical Presentation of Desmoid Tumor

Abstract

Case presentation: A middle-aged woman presented to the emergency department with a chief complaint of abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Abdominal computed tomography revealed gastric pneumatosis and air in the portal system. The patient had an unfavorable clinical course with pneumoperitoneum and septic shock due to secondary peritonitis. She underwent emergency laparotomy where neoformation of the mesentery root was found with infiltration of the small intestine and jejunal perforation. The anatomopathological study of the tumor revealed that it was a desmoid tumor. Discussion: To our knowledge this is the first report in the literature of gastric pneumatosis as the initial presentation of a mesenteric desmoid tumor. Although it usually has a benign clinical course, its locally invasive characteristics can lead to critical illness. Physicians shouldn’t overlook these types of complications, as early identification and surgical intervention can modify the prognosis and shorten hospital stay.