Gurvits syndrome in diabetic ketoacidosis.

Gurvits syndrome, black esophagus or acute esophageal necrosis (AEN) is a rare and multifactorial disorder resulting from a combination of ischemic insult, corrosive injury of the mucosa from gastric contents, and impaired reparative mechanism in the setting of acute illness. The diagnosis is made by visualization of a circumferential black discoloration of the distal oesophagus that abruptly ends at the gastroesophageal junction. We report a case of Gurvits syndrome secondary to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

An unusual cause of anemia: Bean syndrome.

Bean syndrome or blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS) is a rare disease characterized by venous malformations (VM) of the skin, soft tissues and visceral organs, most frequently affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. BRBNS is mainly sporadic but can be inherited in an autosomal pattern. The most common symptoms are GI bleeding and secondary iron deficiency anemia. Treatment is largely symptomatic.

Emphysematous gastritis associated with gastric cancer: a rare and fatal entity.

Emphysematous gastritis is a rare disease characterised by air in the wall of the stomach due to gas-forming microorganisms. This is a highly lethal entity for which only prompt diagnosis and treatment can avoid mortality. Different factors have been described that disrupt the integrity of the mucosa such as corrosive ingestion, alcohol abuse, recent abdominal surgery or cancer. We report a case of emphysematous gastritis in a 92-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Inflammatory markers were elevated and abdominal X-rays showed intramural gastric air, confirmed by CT scan. The patient received intravenous fluids, nutritional support and broad-spectrum antibiotic with resolution of gastric wall emphysema. However, the diagnosis of poorly cohesive gastric adenocarcinoma was made and the patient was referred to palliative care. This case highlights the importance of prompt recognition of this lethal entity that represents a rare and aggressive presentation of gastric cancer.