Massive gastric perforation in a patient with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes: A case report
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: BACKGROUND Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) is a rare genetic disorder that is defined clinically by stroke-like episodes, encephalopathy, manifestations of mitochondrial dysfunction. MELAS concurrent with gastrointestinal perforation is rare, and concurrent with massive gastric perforation is extremely rare. CASE SUMMARY A 51-years-old woman was admitted to our department for treatment from the gastrointestinal sequelae of MELAS syndrome. She presented with complaints of abdominal pain accompanied by paroxysmal lumbar pain and nausea with vomiting. She underwent a whole abdominal computed tomography scan in the emergency department, which indicated gastrointestinal perforation. This resulted in emergent surgery at which a massive perforation of the stomach was identified. The patient underwent repair of a gastric rupture and received further treatment in the intensive care unit postoperatively. CONCLUSION MELAS concurrent with massive gastric perforation is extremely rare, but clinicians should be vigilant about the rare but potentially devastating gastrointestinal consequences of mitochondrial diseases in MELAS patients.
Authors: Zhen-Xing Zhang, Bo-Wen Jin, Shan Wang, Ke-Long Tao
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7162432469