CASE REPORT article
Front. Med.
Sec. Gastroenterology
Volume 12 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1584032
This article is part of the Research TopicAdvances in Medical Imaging for Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications in Digestive DiseasesView all 14 articles
Acute Gastric Dilatation After Excessive Consumption of Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Case Report
Provisionally accepted
- Zhongshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhonshan, China
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Introduction:Acute gastric dilatation (AGD) is a rare but clinically significant condition characterized by abnormal enlargement of the stomach. It can lead to serious complications such as gastric necrosis, perforation, and respiratory failure if not promptly managed. AGD has been associated with mechanical obstructions, binge eating, and systemic conditions like diabetes mellitus. However, AGD induced by excessive consumption of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has not been previously reported. Patient Concerns:A 40-year-old male with a history of chronic dyspepsia presented to the emergency department with recurrent vomiting.Over the three days prior to admission, he self-reported consuming approximately 3.5 liters of TCM liquid (about 1.1--1.3 liters per day).This attempt to alleviate his chronic dyspepsia symptoms failed to show the expected therapeutic effect.The patient denied experiencing headache, dizziness, chest pain, palpitations, abdominal pain, or diarrhea.Diagnosis:Abdominal CT revealed significant gastric distension, and subsequent endoscopy showed pyloric ulcer with stenosis, gastric retention, chronic atrophic gastritis, and a relaxed cardia. Laboratory investigations indicated metabolic alkalosis, electrolyte imbalances, and signs of tissue hypoxia.Interventions:The patient was immediately managed with nasogastric tube decompression, anti-infection therapy, gastric mucosal protection, fluid resuscitation, parenteral nutritional support, fasting, and gastrointestinal decompression.Outcomes:The patient's symptoms and signs notably improved after these interventions. A follow-up CT scan demonstrated improved gastric dilation. At a 4-week follow-up, the patient reported complete resolution of vomiting and resumed normal oral intake. Repeat endoscopy showed healed pyloric ulcers and improved gastric motility. No adverse events (e.g., rehospitalization or medication intolerance) were reported during a 3-month follow-up period.Conclusion:This case highlights the necessity of including AGD in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with frequent vomiting after excessive consumption of TCM. It underscores the importance of thorough evaluation to prevent misdiagnosis and severe complications. The case also emphasizes the need for caution when using TCM, especially in patients with organic lesions or pyloric obstruction.
Keywords: Gastroenterology, Emergency Medicine, Radiology frequent vomiting, Excess of Chinese medicine, Acute gastric dilatation
Received: 26 Feb 2025; Accepted: 06 Jun 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Zeng, Chen, Zhou, Liu, Chen, Lu and Lin. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Zi-liang Chen, Zhongshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhonshan, China
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