Gastric pneumatosis can encompass 2 processes with different etiologies, symptoms, and prognoses:
1. Gastric emphysema
Usually asymptomatic and generally secondary to mechanical causes. It doesn't require surgical treatment and generally responds to conservative management.
2. Emphysematous gastritis
A rare form of gastritis secondary to infection of the gastric wall by gas-forming organisms.
It requires more aggressive early treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics, fluid therapy, and in some cases, surgery