Phlegmonous gastritis: Review of the pathophysiology

Phlegmonous gastritis is a rare infection of the gastric wall. Clinical presentation of phlegmonous gastritis is generally non-specific and includes epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting and fever. The infection results from a transmural infection of the stomach. Several possible routes for phlegmonous gastritis have been proposed: a direct spread from the injured gastric mucosa site, a hematogenous spread to the stomach from a distant focus and lymphatic spread from a contiguous septic focus. The possibility that swallowing Streptococcus-containing secretion is also mentioned. We present a case of phlegmonous gastritis following a pharyngitis and discuss the routes of phlegmonous gastritis, the possible link to pharyngitis and review the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.