Emphysematous Gastritis in a Patient With Recent COVID-19 Infection

Emphysematous gastritis, a rare pathology, causes gastric inflammation and intramural gas accumulation due to gas-forming microorganisms. Its diagnosis is made based on high clinical suspicion and confirmed by CT imaging of the stomach, which shows circumferential gas formation along the gastric wall. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical, as emphysematous gastritis is associated with a high mortality rate. Medical treatment consists of bowel rest, hydration, and intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics. In the event of severe clinical decline despite medical treatment, surgery may be indicated. There may be an association between emphysematous gastritis and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. We present a case of emphysematous gastritis in a patient with carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) and a recent COVID-19 infection.