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Clostridium (C.) ventriculi (known as Sarcina ventriculi) is a ubiquitous gram-positive, anaerobic, acidophilic coccus found in patients with gastric motility disorders. The microorganisms can be identified histologically by their characteristic presentation in tetrads or packets of 8 in hematoxylin and eosin stains. Severe cases of emphysematous gastritis or gastric perforation have been described. Nevertheless, the significance of C. ventriculi in an upper gastrointestinal tract and its pathogenic character remain unclear. We present a 67-year-old woman who underwent hiatoplasty with gastropexy. After 3 months, she underwent a gastroscopy showing gastroesophageal reflux. Biopsies showed ulcerative reflux esophagitis with presence of C.ventriculi, subsequently confirmed by 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing. The barium swallow study revealed an atonic stomach with delayed gastric emptying. The patient was treated with PPI and domperidone. On follow up, 15 months post-operatively, a control gastroscopy showed a stomach with food residues and reflux-associated small erosions. The Clostridium organisms were detected only in oxyntic mucosa biopsies without erosions or ulcerations. We speculate that the recognition of the organisms in the biopsy material is important and suggests dysmotility disorder. However, in our opinion, the presence of C. ventriculi, even in combination with mucosal damage, does not necessarily prompt antibiotic treatment since no complications occurred and inflammation as well as gastric function improved under PPI and prokinetic therapy in our patient. Larger study groups with long-term follow-up are needed to understand whether these organisms could behave as pathogens or are only bystanders in the setting of delayed gastric emptying., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) is a therapeutic option for primary and metastatic liver tumors. Microspheres containing Yttrium 90, a beta-emitting radionuclide, are administered into the hepatic artery allowing selective internal radiation of a liver tumor. SIRT-related complications may appear due to migration of the radiation microspheres to organs distant from the tumor site. In order to prevent these complications, unintended non target embolization of Yttrium microspheres has to be avoided. However, data from external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) suggests that the stomach/small bowel may actually be less radiosensitive than the liver. Gastric ulcers, a well-known SIRT-related complication, may therefore not only be caused by local radiation but also by unusual accumulation of microspheres in the submucosa and small vessel damage. We herein report a more than two- year-long persisting, highly symptomatic, non-neoplastic ulceration of the gastric antrum leading to pyloric stenosis caused by SIRT therapy with Yttrium 90 microspheres for the treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma. The chronic courses of the ulcer disease together with the specific histological features highlight the pivotal role of radiation-induced small vessel damage in SIRT-induced adverse events., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)