Emphysematous Gastritis in a Patient with Concomitant COVID-19 Infection and Celiac Trunk Stenosis: A Case Report

Abstract

This case report reviews a 75-year-old male with several comorbidities who presented with acute encephalopathy and sepsis in the setting of COVID-19 pneumonia, who was noted to have significant gaseous distention of the stomach, emphysematous gastritis (EG), and severe stenosis of the celiac trunk on initial CT imaging. He was treated with empiric IV antibiotics, including ceftriaxone and metronidazole, which were changed to intravenous piperacillin-tazobactam after 24 hours. After being evaluated by surgery and gastroenterology, it was determined that risks outweighed the benefits of EGD and surgical intervention as the patient had a labile hemodynamic status. After extensive goals of care discussions with the patient’s family, he was transitioned to comfort measures only on day 4 of admission and ultimately passed the same day due to cardiopulmonary arrest. EG is often diagnosed late in its course and is associated with extremely high mortality, even with surgical intervention. Evidence from recent case series suggests increasing success with conservative management in selected patients; there are no formal guidelines