Published online Jan 6, 2024. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i1.176
Peer-review started: September 24, 2023
First decision: November 16, 2023
Revised: November 28, 2023
Accepted: December 20, 2023
Article in press: December 20, 2023
Published online: January 6, 2024
Processing time: 99 Days and 17.2 Hours
Gastric IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is rarely encountered in clinical practice, and especially more so among pediatric patients. To our knowledge, this is the first report of IgG4-RD presenting as a calcifying gastric mass in a child. We describe how this entity was difficult to differentiate from a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) imaging-based approaches. Therefore, this case highlights the importance of considering IgG4-RD in the differential diagnosis of gastric tumor before performing surgical resection, especially to distinguish it from malignancy to avoid unnecessary surgery.
The patient suffered from epigastric pain for several days. Panendoscopy and computed tomography scan revealed a submucosal tumor. Differential diagnoses included GIST, leiomyoma, teratoma, and mucinous adenocarcinoma. However, laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy allowed for the definitive diagnosis of IgG4-related stomach disease.
We emphasize the importance of considering IgG4-RD in the differential diagnosis of gastric submucosal tumors before performing surgical resection.
Core Tip: Gastric IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is rarely encountered in clinical practice, especially among pediatric patients. To our knowledge, this is the first report of IgG4-RD presenting as a gastric calcifying mass in a child. This entity was difficult to differentiate from a gastrointestinal stromal tumor by imaging-based approaches. Therefore, it is important to consider IgG4-RD in the differential diagnosis of gastric tumor before performing surgical resection, especially to distinguish it from malignancy and avoid non-essential surgery.