Differential Diagnosis for Thick Stomach Wall on CT Scan
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Gastric cancer: This is a common cause of thickened stomach wall, especially in older adults, and can be diagnosed through a combination of imaging studies, endoscopy, and biopsy.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Peptic ulcer disease: Chronic peptic ulcers can cause scarring and thickening of the stomach wall.
- Gastritis: Chronic inflammation of the stomach lining, often due to Helicobacter pylori infection or NSAID use, can lead to thickening of the stomach wall.
- Lymphoma: Gastric lymphoma can cause thickening of the stomach wall and is often associated with Helicobacter pylori infection.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Gastric perforation: Although less likely, a perforated gastric ulcer or other cause of perforation can present with a thickened stomach wall on CT scan and is a medical emergency.
- Invasive fungal infection: In immunocompromised patients, invasive fungal infections such as mucormycosis can cause thickening of the stomach wall and are potentially life-threatening.
Rare Diagnoses
- Tuberculosis (TB) of the stomach: Although TB can affect the stomach, it is a rare cause of thickened stomach wall in most populations, and other diagnoses are more likely.
- Sarcoidosis: This systemic granulomatous disease can rarely affect the stomach, causing thickening of the stomach wall.
- Eosinophilic gastroenteritis: A rare condition characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the stomach wall, which can cause thickening.
- Gastric amyloidosis: Deposition of amyloid protein in the stomach wall can cause thickening, but this is a rare condition.