Gastric carcinoma presenting with severe rectal stenosis: ‘Schnitzler’s metastasis’: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Distant metastasis of primary gastric carcinoma may occur via venous, lymphatic spread and/or peritoneal seeding. Herein we report on an atypical presentation of clinical, endoscopic, and radiologic features of metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma with symptoms mainly due to rectal carcinomatous involvement. Case report and review of the literature We presented the case of 39-year-old-woman with a clinical history of 6 months of dyspepsia, abdominal discomfort, and constipation, who was admitted to hospital with a full-blown picture of mechanical bowel obstruction. These symptoms occurred owing to secondary linitis plastica of the rectum. An extended Hartmann procedure was performed, and the patient was referred to systemic chemotherapy. The overall survival was 5.5 months. The symptoms, findings, preoperative management, and treatment choices are discussed with a review of published cases of Schintzler’s metastasis. Gastric linitis plastica is the most common cause of secondary neoplastic infiltration of the colon. An unusual case of Schnitzler’s metastasis to the rectum, synchronously or metachronously, should occur from diffuse type signet-ring cell gastric carcinoma. The clinical findings of severe rectal stenosis with a poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma must call attention to the entity of rectal Schnitzler’s metastasis.