# Acute Abdominal Pain With Gastrointestinal Wall Thickening and Edema: Insights From Two Case Reports

## TL;DR

This paper discusses two cases of acute abdominal pain with gastrointestinal wall thickening and edema, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of phlegmonous gastroenteritis.

## Contribution

The paper provides insights into the early identification and management of the rare condition phlegmonous gastroenteritis through case reports.

## Key findings

- Two patients with acute abdominal pain and gastrointestinal wall thickening were diagnosed with phlegmonous gastroenteritis.
- Empirical antibiotic therapy led to complete recovery in both cases, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

## Abstract

Gastrointestinal diseases encompass a wide range of etiologies, including tumor-related, infectious, ischemic, immune-mediated, and vascular conditions, all of which can present with similar imaging features. Among these, phlegmonous gastroenteritis is a rare, acute gastrointestinal infection characterized by purulent inflammation in the submucosal and muscular layers of the gastrointestinal wall. Clinical manifestations typically include sudden abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal distension, with imaging showing gastrointestinal wall thickening and stromal edema. The disease’s nonspecific clinical and imaging features often lead to misdiagnosis. This report describes two cases of acute abdominal pain with gastrointestinal wall thickening and edema, providing insights into the early identification of phlegmonous gastroenteritis. Both patients recovered completely after empirical antibiotic therapy, highlighting the importance of early imaging diagnosis, endoscopy, and histopathological analysis in managing this rare condition. Early recognition and intervention are essential to prevent severe complications and improve patient outcomes.