Unusual case of gastroparesis leading to severe gastromegaly with demyelinating disease as a rare cause
Ahmed, K.; Lal, Y.
South Dakota Medicine the Journal of the South Dakota State Medical Association 66(11): 467-469
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 0038-3317 PMID: 24383263 Document Number: 668860
Gastroparesis is an entity of symptomatic abnormal gastric emptying, with diabetes mellitus, postsurgical and idiopathic etiologies accounting for majority of the cases. We report the case of a young African American female, who presented with abdominal discomfort, inability to tolerate a regular diet and intermittent episodes of numbness, tingling and cramps in her extremities. CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis showed a massively distended stomach, compressing the intestines and liver. A gastric emptying study revealing markedly worsened gastroparesis. Severe gastroparesis causing massive gastromegaly secondary to multiple sclerosis was diagnosed. This case illustrates severe gastromegaly that is rarely seen to this extent and identifies multiple sclerosis (MS) as a rare cause of gastroparesis. MS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of gastroparesis in appropriate clinical settings.