Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-mlc7c Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T13:30:11.063Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Benign pneumatosis intestinalis: a cause of massive pneumoperitoneum in the adult

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2015

David M. Liu*
Affiliation:
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, and the Department of Radiology, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC.
William C. Torreggiani
Affiliation:
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, and the Department of Radiology, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC.
Kevin Rowan
Affiliation:
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, and the Department of Radiology, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC.
Savvas Nicolaou
Affiliation:
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, and the Department of Radiology, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC.
*
Department of Radiology, JP Pavillion, Rm. 3550, Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Centre, 899 West 12th Ave., Vancouver BC V5Z 1M9; 604 839-3548, [email protected]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Pneumatosis intestinalis (gas in the bowel wall) is often a benign condition, but it may mimic bowel ischemia or infarction and lead to unnecessary surgical intervention, especially when associated with pneumoperitoneum. We present a case of benign pneumatosis intestinalis with massive pneumoperitoneum and discuss various distinguishing features that may aid in its diagnosis.

Type
Case Report • Observations de cas
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2003

References

1.Jamart, J.Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis. A statistical study of 919 cases. Acta Hepato Gastroenerol 1979; 26:41922.Google ScholarPubMed
2.Holt, S, Stewart, I, Heading, R.Resolution of primary pneumatosis coli. J R Coll Surg 1979;23:2979.Google Scholar
3.Pear, BL.Pneumatosis intestinalis: a review. Radiology 1998; 207(1):139.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4.Koss, GL.Abdominal gas cysts (pneumatosis intestinorium cystoided hominus). Arch Path 1952;53:52349.Google Scholar
5.Heng, Y, Schuggler, MD, Haggitt, RD, Rohrmann, CA.Pneumatosis intestinalis: a review. Am J Gastro 1995;90(10):174758.Google Scholar
6.Snover, D, Sandstad, J, Hutton, S.Mucosal pseudolipomatosis of the colon. A J Clin Pathol 1985:84:57580.Google Scholar
7.Knechtle, SJ, Davidoff, AM, Rice, RP.Pneumatosis intestinalis: surgical management and clinical outcome. Ann Surg 1990; 212:1605.Google Scholar
8.Pieterse, AS, Leoung, AS, Rowland, R.The mucosal changes and pathogenosis of pneumatosis intestinalis cystoides intestinalis. Hum Pathol 1985;16:6838.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9.Daly, BD, Guthrie, JA, Couse, NF.Pneumoperitoneum without peritonitis. Postgrad Med J 1991;677:9991003.Google Scholar
10.Kennedy, J.Pneumatosis intestinalis. Clin Radiolo 1963;14:706.Google Scholar
11.Keyting, W, McCarver, R, Kovarik, J.Pneumatosis intestinalis: a new concept. Radiology 1961;76:73341.Google Scholar
12.Seaman, W, Fleming, R, Baker, D.Pneumatosis intestinalis of the small bowel. Semin Roentgenol 1966;145:2834.Google Scholar