Gastric Diverticulum: a Rare Cause of Dyspepsia

Abstract

Objective: Diverticular disease of the stomach is uncommon and rarely suspected in all cases of upper gastro-intestinal pathology. The aim of this report is to demonstrate gastric diverticulum as an uncommon cause of upper gastrointestinal symptoms. The literature in Ghana shows no documented record; and we therefore seek to highlight gastric diverticulum as a possible differential diagnosis when evaluating patients with dyspepsia.Case Report and Intervention: We present a case of a 26 year old man who presented to the outpatient clinic with a 2-year history of recurrent epigastric pain and dyspepsia. This patient had previous upper gastrointestinal endoscopies which were normal. The recurrence of his symptoms necessitated a referral to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, a tertiary hospital, where the diagnosis of gastric diverticulum was confirmed at endoscopy. He was managed with proton pump inhibitors. Treatment is largely conservative, except incomplicated cases such as bleeding and perforation where surgery is indicated.Conclusion: Gastric diverticulum is rare in Ghana. A high index of suspicion is required to make a diagnosis especially in symptomatic patients with apparently normal gastric mucosa at endoscopy.