Case report: A young female with epigastric pain, functional dyspepsia, and chronic cholecystitis diagnostic and therapeutic challenges

Paper Details

Research Paper 06/05/2025
Views (632)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Case report: A young female with epigastric pain, functional dyspepsia, and chronic cholecystitis diagnostic and therapeutic challenges

Shafee Ur Rehman, Muhammad Abdullah, Muhammad Younas, Usama Mahmood
Int. J. Biosci. 26(5), 161-166, May 2025.
Copyright Statement: Copyright 2025; The Author(s).
License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Abstract

Young adults face a diagnostic challenge when experiencing epigastric pain because it can stem from organic conditions such as gastritis and cholecystitis or functional disorders including dyspepsia. The case demonstrates the difficulties that occur during diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal conditions which overlap with each other. A 19-year-old female patient experienced recurring pain in her epigastric area. The patient received unremarkable lab results but endoscopy showed grade II esophagitis together with mixed gastritis and ultrasound results confirmed chronic cholecystitis. The patient received H. pylori eradication treatment with clarithromycin/omeprazole/tinidazole and antispasmodic mebeverine and digestive enzyme pancreatin despite normal H. pylori test results. The case demonstrates the requirement for multiple evaluation methods including endoscopy and imaging and symptom evaluation when epigastric pain results from both functional and organic causes.

Alshammari MT, Stevenson R, Abdul-Aema B, Zou G, Jairath V, Radford S, Marciani L, Moran GW. 2021. Diagnostic accuracy of non-invasive imaging for detection of colonic inflammation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Diagnostics 11(10), 1926.

Aye TT, Tin T, Aye MT, Win TM, Kyaw AM, Aye KS, Tun MN. 2025. Spectrum of upper gastrointestinal diseases in patients presenting with dyspepsia—A first report from Myanmar. JGH Open 9(2), e70121.

Black CJ, Ford AC. 2025. An evidence-based update on the diagnosis and management of irritable bowel syndrome. Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 1–6.

Black CJ, Paine PA, Agrawal A, Aziz I, Eugenicos MP, Houghton LA, Hungin P, Overshott R, Vasant DH, Rudd S, Winning RC. 2022. British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines on the management of functional dyspepsia. Gut 71(9), 1697–1723.

Bordin DS, Voynovan IN, Andreev DN, Maev IV. 2021. Current Helicobacter pylori diagnostics. Diagnostics 11(8), 1458.

Chong Y, Park G, Cha HJ, Kim HJ, Kang CS, Abdul-Ghafar J, Lee SS. 2023. A stepwise approach to fine needle aspiration cytology of lymph nodes. Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine 57(4), 196–207.

Chu P, Mioc J, O’Donovan P, Henry O. 2025. Clinical efficacy and safety of treatments for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency: A systematic literature review. Digestion 106(1), 45–61.

Gallaher JR, Charles A. 2022. Acute cholecystitis: A review. Jama 327(10), 965–975.

Maffei E, Ciliberti V, Zeppa P, Caputo A. 2024. Comment on “A stepwise approach to fine needle aspiration cytology of lymph nodes”. Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine 58(1), 40.

Mencarini L, Vestito A, Zagari RM, Montagnani M. 2024. New developments in the ultrasonography diagnosis of gallbladder diseases. Gastroenterology Insights 15(1), 42–68.

Miranda A. 2022. Abdominal pain. Nelson Pediatric Symptom-Based Diagnosis E-Book, 222.

Savarino E, Zingone F, Barberio B, Marasco G, Akyuz F, Akpinar H, Barboi O, Bodini G, Bor S, Chiarioni G, Cristian G. 2022. Functional bowel disorders with diarrhoea: Clinical guidelines of the United European Gastroenterology and European Society for Neurogastroenterology and Motility. United European Gastroenterology Journal 10(6), 556–584.

Schneider D, McKegney CC. 2022. Care of the child with a real problem. Pediatric Diagnostic Labs for Primary Care: An Evidence-Based Approach, 365–411.

Seisenbekova A, Laryushina Y, Yukhnevich Y, Lavrinenko A, Shkreba A. 2025. Prevalence and risk factors of H. pylori infection among outpatients in Karaganda city (Kazakhstan). Future Science OA 11(1), 2461429.

Sezgin O, Yardımcı H. 2025. The appropriate use of proton pump inhibitors: Single centre experience. Akademik Gastroenteroloji Dergisi 24(1), 35–40.

Suzuki H. 2021. Recent advances in the definition and management of functional dyspepsia. The Keio Journal of Medicine 70(1), 7–18.

Wauters L, Dickman R, Drug V, Mulak A, Serra J, Enck P, Tack J, ESNM FD consensus group, Accarino A, Barbara G, Bor S. 2021. United European Gastroenterology (UEG) and European Society for Neurogastroenterology and Motility (ESNM) consensus on functional dyspepsia. Neurogastroenterology & Motility 33(9), e14238.

Youssoufi N, Jaafari A, Mansour S, El Hamdi M, Gallerani A, Pierrakos C, Attou R. 2025. A two-for-one diagnosis: A rare case of chronic abdominal pain caused by gastroptosis and Wilkie’s syndrome in a young woman. Diagnostics 15(3), 270.

Zheng S, Hu P, Wang XY, Wang C, Liu XX, Dong ZS, Xiao B. 2025. Confusing abdominal pain: Images of spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection with thrombosis. Medical Ultrasonography 27(1), 112–113.

Related Articles

Sensory evaluation of horn snail (Telescopium telescopium) patty

Ma. Isabel P. Lanzaderas, Gilbert P. Panimdim, Proceso C. Valleser Jr.*, Int. J. Biosci. 28(2), 7-16, February 2026.

Two years evolution of deltamethrin, malathion and pirimiphos-methyl resistance in Aedes aegypti from urban in peri urban sites of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Hyacinthe K. Toe*, Moussa W. Guelbeogo, Soumananaba Zongo, Aboubacar Sombie, Athanase Badolo, Int. J. Biosci. 28(2), 1-6, February 2026.

Physicochemical characterization of annatto seeds (Bixa orellana) sold in Ouagadougou and their oils extracted using chemical processes

Mah Alima Esther Traoré*, Adama Lodoun, Pingdwindé Marie Judith Samadoulougou-Kafando, Nestor Beker Dembélé, Kiswendsida Sandrine Léticia Dayamba, Charles Parkouda, Int. J. Biosci. 28(1), 169-178, January 2026.

Inventory of african yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Harms) diversity in some Yoruba areas of Benin

Orobiyi Azize*, Faton Manhognon Oscar Euloge, Zongo Élisabeth Aboubié, Sossou Kpèdé Nicodème, Houngbo Marcel, Dossou Pierre Fourier, Ogoudjobi Ladékpo Sylvain, Balogoun Ibouraïman, Dansi Alexandre, Lokoyêyinou Laura Estelle, Int. J. Biosci. 28(1), 161-168, January 2026.

A severe case of human hepatic fascioliasis mimicking an oncological disease in Azerbaijan

Aygun A. Azizova*, Int. J. Biosci. 28(1), 155-160, January 2026.

Combined effect of irrigation frequency and leaf harvesting intensity on soil water content and productivity of baobab (Adansonia digitata) seedlings in vegetable production

Sissou Zakari, Imorou F. Ouorou Barrè, Mouiz W. I. A. Yessoufou*, Colombe E. A. E. Elegbe, Amamath S. Boukari, P. B. Irénikatché Akponikpè, Int. J. Biosci. 28(1), 143-154, January 2026.

Develop sustainable coffee-based farming model using cash crops production

Maribel L. Fernandez, Roje Marie C. Rosqueta*, Diosa G. Alasaas, Boyet C. Pattung, Jaylord Dalapo, Janette Empleo, Int. J. Biosci. 28(1), 134-142, January 2026.

Animal anthrax in northern Tanzania (2015-2025): Epidemiological trends and frontline response capacity

Yohana Michael Kiwone*, Beatus Lyimo, Rowenya Mushi, Joram Buza, Int. J. Biosci. 28(1), 123-133, January 2026.