Localized pseudomembranous gastritis associated with hepatic cirrhosis and portal hypertensive gastropathy: a case report

Abstract

Abstract Pseudomembranes in the large and small intestines are common in hospitalized patients that are immunosuppressed or on certain oral antibiotics. Pseudomembranous enterocolitis, histologically characterized by volcanic-like eruption of inflammatory cellular exudate from the mucosal surface, is mainly attributed to Clostridium difficile toxins and often presents with symptomatic diarrhea. Rarely, there are case reports of similar pseudomembranous lesions limited to the stomach in the absence of intestinal involvement. In this paper, we present a case of localized pseudomembranous gastritis in a 76-year-old patient with personal history limited to prior gastrointestinal bleed, liver cirrhosis, alcohol dependence, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension who was referred to the emergency department from his primary care physician’s office due to low hemoglobin.