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

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.