Pneumatosis intestinalis

Abstract

Pneumatosis intestinalis is defined as the presence of gas in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. The most common life-threatening cause of intestinal pneumatosis is intestinal ischemia. We present a case of 73 years old male, with complaints dating back several hours to colic-like abdominal pain. On the plain film of the abdomen in the the caecum and the proximal colon, the wall of the intestine is outlined by a thin strip of gas, with the appearance of extraluminal. Cranially, against the background of the liver shadow, fine (up to 2 mm) streaks of gas enlightenment are visualized. A CT scan was performed, which confirmed the diagnosis of intestinal pneumatosis. The patient underwent emergency surgery in which total necrosis of the right colon to the middle third of the transverse colon was established. Knowledge of this pathology in the analysis of X-ray and CT images can prevent misdiagnosis of this potentially life-threatening intestinal ischemia.