Multiple superficial gastric erosions due to Crohn's disease of the stomach. Radiologic and endoscopic diagnosis

Abstract

A case of Crohn's disease involving the stomach and duodenum is presented. The patient had a four-and-a-half year history of ankylosing spondylitis. Double contrast radiography of the stomach and duodenum showed multiple superficial gastric erosions and a duodenal ulcer. There were typical changes of Crohn's disease in the terminal ileum. At endoscopy, numerous superficial erosions were seen in the stomach and duodenum and biopsies of the stomach showed granulomatous inflammation, consistent with Crohn's disease. These lesions are similar to those seen in the colon in the early stages of granulomatous colitis and it is likely that this represents the early stage of Crohn's disease in the stomach. With increasing application of double-contrast radiography and endoscopy, these lesions may be found more frequently.