Is pneumatosis intestinalis life-threatening?

Pneumatosis intestinalis is defined as the presence of gas within the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. Originally described on plain abdominal radiographs, it is an imaging sign rather than a specific diagnosis and it is associated with both benign and life-threatening clinical conditions.

How is pneumatosis intestinalis treated?

Treatment options include bowel rest, antibiotics, surgery, and, more recently, the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is extremely safe, with no reported complications in the literature when used for pneumatosis intestinalis.

What causes pneumatosis intestinalis?

Pneumatosis is found secondary to mucosal disruption presumably due to over-distention from peptic ulcer, pyloric stenosis, annular pancreas, and even to more distal obstruction. Disruption can also be caused by ulceration, erosions, or trauma, including the trauma of child abuse.

How common is pneumatosis intestinalis?

Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is an uncommon condition that has the highest incidence in the fourth through seventh decades of life. PI is usually an unexpected finding on plain abdominal and barium radiographs and is generally a benign condition. In fact, it is the most common cause of benign pneumoperitoneum.

Is pneumatosis intestinalis an infection?

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis, or air in the bowel wall, has been reported in SSc [73]. In this setting, it is a benign condition of no particular significance, although it may indicate more advanced disease. Rarely, the air-filled cysts in the bowel wall may rupture, leading to a benign pneumoperitoneum.

What does Pneumatosis look like?

The patterns of the radiolucencies are seen as linear, curvilinear, small bubbles, or collections of cysts. Cystic collections of gas localized to the wall of the colon are suggestive of primary pneumatosis intestinalis.

How do you detect pneumatosis intestinalis?

Pneumatosis intestinalis is usually identified on plain radiographs of the abdomen. Occasionally, submucosal cysts may be identified during endoscopy. The cysts, which may appear similar to polyps, may be examined at biopsy for signs of inflammation.

How do you check for pneumatosis intestinalis?

  1. Abdominal radiography and CT are the most frequently used techniques for diagnosis of PI.
  2. On both radiographs and CT, PI usually appears as a low-density linear or bubbly pattern of gas in the bowel wall (Fig.
  3. The circular form of PI is usually benign and most often seen with pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI).

What is pneumatosis intestinalis?

Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) refers to the presence of gas within the wall of the small or large intestine. Intramural gas can also affect the stomach, but this condition is referred to as gastric pneumatosis [1].

What causes pneumatosis in infants?

Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) in children is associated with immunosuppression, mucosal disruption from trauma, obstructive pulmonary disease, congenital heart disease, and gastrointestinal infections.