Post-infectious gastroparesis: clinical and electerogastrographic aspects

J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2007 Sep;22(9):1423-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2006.04738.x.

Abstract

Aims: Post-infectious gastroparesis (PIGP) is a subgroup of idiopathic gastroparesis. The aim of this study was to identify post-viral gastroparesis and to characterize clinical and electrogastrographic aspects of the disease and their usefulness as a diagnostic tool.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with gastroparesis were defined as PIGP if they had a clear history of an acute viral illness prior to the development of their symptoms. All patients underwent evaluation of gastric emptying and electrogastrography (EGG).

Results: Seven patients met the criteria for diagnosis of PIGP. Patients' age ranged from 3 months to 47 years. A specific virus was identified in two patients (one cytomegalovirus [CMV] and one Epstein-Barr virus [EBV]). EGG was pathological in six out of seven patients. In four out of seven patients, symptoms resolved spontaneously within 4 weeks to 12 months, three patients had improved but were still symptomatic at the time of the writing of this work.

Conclusion: We conclude that post-infectious gastroparesis is an uncommon and often over looked condition. It is self-limiting in most cases. EGG is pathological in most patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Electrophysiology
  • Female
  • Gastric Emptying
  • Gastroparesis / diagnosis
  • Gastroparesis / epidemiology*
  • Gastroparesis / microbiology*
  • Gastroparesis / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infections / complications*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged