# Redescending Stomach: A Rare and Potentially Lethal Complication of Gastric Herniation

## TL;DR

A rare and dangerous stomach complication called redescending stomach can occur with gastric herniation and may lead to life-threatening issues.

## Contribution

The paper highlights gastric fundus redescent as an under-recognized cause of gastric strangulation in intrathoracic herniation.

## Key findings

- Gastric fundus redescent can cause gastric strangulation in intrathoracic herniation.
- Gastric pneumatosis, a sign of ischemia, can be detected on a plain chest radiograph in this condition.

## Abstract

Large gastric hernias are common and usually cause minor symptoms. Rarely, complete intrathoracic herniation of the stomach is complicated by strangulation. The underlying mechanism can be gastric volvulus or the less recognized phenomenon of gastric fundus redescent. We describe a case where this rare but potentially lethal complication of gastric herniation is present. Additionally, we show that gastric pneumatosis, a sign associated with ischemia, can be initially visualized on a plain chest radiograph in this setting.

Teaching point: Redescent of the fundus is a possible, but unrecognized cause of gastric strangulation in intrathoracic stomachs.