Emergency operation for phlegmonous gastritis.

Phlegmonous gastritis is a rare inflammatory lesion in which bacterial infection occurs in the gastric wall. A case of phlegmonous gastritis producing an intramural filling defect in the stomach is presented. Endoscopy showed edematous and reddened gastric mucosa with a mass lesion in the gastric body and antrum. An abdominal CT scan showed diffuse and irregular thickening of the gastric wall. At emergency operation, a total gastrectomy with splenectomy was performed. The most important differential diagnosis is carcinoma, especially scirrhous-type gastric cancer. Radiographic findings of phlegmonous gastritis resemble those of scirrhous gastric cancer. More frequent recognition of this disease, early diagnosis and prompt institution of treatment is essential.