Neumoperitoneo secundario a neumatosis intestinal masiva: un reporte de caso / Pneumoperitoneum secondary to massive intestinal pneumatosis: a case report

Introducción. La neumatosis intestinal se define como la presencia de quistes aéreos en la pared del tracto digestivo, a nivel submucoso o subseroso, que comprometen principalmente el intestino delgado. Las manifestaciones clínicas son inespecíficas y los hallazgos imagenológicos son fundamentales en el enfoque diagnóstico. El manejo puede ser médico o quirúrgico, dependiendo del compromiso intestinal y las complicaciones asociadas. Caso clínico. Hombre de 78 años, que ingresó por cuadro de dolor abdominal crónico, con hallazgos imagenológicos de neumoperitoneo. Al ser llevado a intervención quirúrgica se encontró neumatosis intestinal masiva del íleon, requiriendo resección intestinal. Resultado. El paciente presentó una evolución postoperatoria satisfactoria y fue dado de alta, sin complicaciones. Conclusión. La neumatosis intestinal es una enfermedad poco frecuente, que se presenta principalmente en hombres. La sospecha diagnóstica se confirma con imágenes tomográficas. Los pacientes candidatos para el manejo médico deben presentar causas con curso benigno, sin compromiso hemodinámico ni complicaciones. El manejo quirúrgico se reserva para pacientes con abdomen agudo o signos de sepsis.

Introduction. Intestinal pneumatosis is defined as the presence of air cysts in the wall of the digestive tract at the submucosal or subserosal level, mainly compromising the small intestine. The clinical manifestations of the disease are nonspecific, and the imaging findings are essential in the diagnostic approach. Management can be conservative and/or surgical depending on the intestinal compromise and associated complications. Clinical case. The following is the case of a 78-year-old man, who was admitted due to chronic abdominal pain with imaging findings of pneumoperitoneum. Patient underwent surgery and a massive ileum pneumatosis was found, requiring intestinal resection. Results. The patient ́s postoperative course was uneventful, and he was discharged without further complications. Conclusions. Intestinal pneumatosis is an uncommon disease, which mostly affect men population. Clinical suspicion of this condition should be confirmed with abdominal tomography. Candidates for medical management are those with benign course pathologies without hemodynamic compromise and/or complications. Surgical management should be reserved for patients with acute abdomen or sepsis.

Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis with Non-surgical Encapsulated Pneumoperitoneum: Case Presentation and Literature Review

Introduction: Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is a rare entity characterized by cysts or air bubbles in the intestinal wall, usually asymptomatic. Its uncomplicated forms are managed conservatively, and the severe ones require surgical intervention. The presence of pneumoperitoneum is a disturbing radiological finding but not an indicator of surgical intervention. Clinical case: A 23-year-old man presented with weight loss, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding; a colonoscopy showed multiple violaceous cysts in the sigmoid and descending colon that collapsed after puncture and biopsies. Computed tomography (CT) confirmed the diagnosis and the presence of an encapsulated pneumoperitoneum. The absence of signs of potential lethality allowed conservative treatment with clinical remission during the first eight months of follow-up. Discussion: The pathophysiology of PCI is not well defined. Our patient's diagnosis was incidental when performing a colonoscopy for rectal bleeding. Asymptomatic encapsulated pneumoperitoneum should be interpreted as an important but not decisive sign of surgical intervention. Its presence, along with the medical history and physical, biochemical, endoscopic, and imaging examination, can prevent unnecessary surgery.

Introducción: la neumatosis quística intestinal es una entidad infrecuente, caracterizada por la presencia de quistes o burbujas de aire en la pared intestinal, usualmente asintomática. Sus formas no complicadas son manejadas conservadoramente y las graves requieren intervención quirúrgica. La presencia de neumoperitoneo es un hallazgo radiológico inquietante, pero no es indicador de intervención quirúrgica. Caso clínico: hombre de 23 años con pérdida de peso, diarrea y rectorragia, la colonoscopia mostró múltiples quistes violáceos localizados en el sigmoide y descendente que colapsaron tras la punción y biopsias, la tomografía axial computarizada (TAC) confirmó el diagnóstico y la presencia de un neumoperitoneo encapsulado. La ausencia de signos de potencial letalidad permitió un tratamiento conservador con remisión clínica durante los primeros 8 meses de seguimiento. Discusión: la fisiopatología de la neumatosis quística intestinal no está bien definida. En el paciente presentado el diagnóstico se realizó de forma incidental al realizar una colonoscopia por una rectorragia. El neumoperitoneo asintomático encapsulado debe interpretarse como un signo importante pero no determinante de intervención quirúrgica y su presencia junto con los antecedentes médicos, examen físico, bioquímico, endoscópico e imagenológico puede evitar cirugías innecesarias.

Clinical analysis of 60 patients with pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis in the Tibetan Plateau / 中国基层医药

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis in the Tibet Plateau, and to explore the diagnosis and treatment method of this disease.Methods:The medical records of 60 patients with confirmed pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis who were admitted to Tibet Autonomous Region People's Hospital from January 2014 to July 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. A descriptive statistical analysis was made.Results:The male-to-female ratio of 60 patients with pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis was 2.2: 1. The average age of onset was (48.6 ± 14.5) years. The average living altitude was (3 832.3 ± 399.8) meters. All patients were admitted mainly because of gastrointestinal symptoms. Twenty patients had hemorrhoids, chronic hepatitis, and gallstones. Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis was confirmed by endoscopic examination in 59 patients and by surgery in 1 patient. Among the patients, 43 patients had lesions involving the colon, 2 patients had lesions involving the small intestine, and 1 patient had lesions involving the duodenum. The specific lesion sites were not determined in the remaining 14 patients because of unclear descriptions of the examination results. Two patients were positive for fecal occult blood tests, with a median hemoglobin value of 156.0 g/L. Forty-nine patients were given hyperbaric oxygen therapy, medication, and diet adjustment. Eleven patients were treated surgically. Clinical symptoms were relieved in 43 patients, and 17 patients were lost to follow-up.Conclusion:Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is relatively common in Tibet Plateau, and more common in men than in women. It occurs at any age. Clinical manifestations are not specific. The lesions most often involve the colon. The disease is mainly diagnosed by endoscopy. Individualized treatment based on different causes can help improve the prognosis of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis.

Management of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis with pneumoperitoneum: 5-years systematic review

Introduction: Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is a rare condition characterized by gas-filled cysts in the intestinal wall. Although rare, it may also involve other regions, such as the mesentery. PCI is classified as primary or secondary and is associated with multiple predisposing factors. It may be associated with either a benign condition or a potentially fatal condition, such as mesenteric ischemia. The objective of this study was to review the medical literature on the rare benign presentations of PCI, excluding cases associated with intestinal ischemia.Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review according to the PRISMA statement. We searched PubMed and LILACS databases for articles published between January 2015 and December 2020 using the following Medical Subject Headings: "pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis" and "pneumoperitoneum," "pneumatosis intestinalis," and "pneumoperitoneum" or "mesenteric pneumatosis."Results: We included 51 articles comprising 58 patients with PCI and pneumoperitoneum. Most patients were men, and mean patient age was 64.9 years. We identified an idiopathic etiology in 29.31% of cases, and the most common predisposing factor was immune dysfunction (29.31%). A total of 24.13% of patients were asymptomatic. The most commons symptoms were abdominal pain (43.10%), nausea and vomiting (41.37%), and abdominal distention (37.93%). Diagnostic surgery was conducted in 26 patients (44.82%). Only 1 patient underwent surgical treatment.Conclusions: PCI is a clinical condition that may have a benign etiology and not require surgery. Treatment of the benign etiology is conservative. Thus, life-threatening conditions should be excluded in all cases.

Gastritis enfisematosa como manifestación de isquemia mesentérica no oclusiva tras coartectomía / Emphysematous gastritis as a manifestation of non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia after coartectomy

Resumen Las intervenciones mayores en cirugía cardiovascular de pacientes con patología aórtica pueden traer como consecuencia el compromiso de la perfusión de órganos distantes al sitio de la cirugía, siendo el tracto gastrointestinal uno de los más sensibles a los cambios hemodinámicos, en especial en grupos extremos de edad con un alto riesgo de morbimortalidad. Se reporta el caso de una lactante con antecedente de síndrome de Turner, quien es llevada a corrección de coartación de aorta más hipoplasia del arco, presentando como complicación posoperatoria un cuadro de gastritis enfisematosa con compromiso sistémico, proceso que fue favorecido por bajo gasto cardiaco posterior a bomba y presencia de urosepsis temprana, todo lo cual fue interpretado como parte del espectro del síndrome de isquemia mesentérica no oclusiva. Su diagnóstico precoz hizo posible una pronta intervención, consistente en soporte nutricional parenteral, freno ácido, antibioticoterapia de amplio espectro y seguimiento radiológico estricto, logrando la resolución completa de su sintomatología, sin complicaciones a corto plazo. Este caso demuestra que la identificación de factores de riesgo de isquemia esplácnica, una alta sospecha clínica y un cuidadoso manejo médico permiten un desenlace favorable para una patología con una alta tasa de mortalidad y muy pocos casos reportados en población pediátrica.

Abstract Major interventions in cardiovascular surgery of patients with aortic pathology can result in the compromise of perfusion of organs distant from the surgery site, the gastrointestinal tract being one of the most sensitive to hemodynamic changes, especially in extreme age groups with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. The case of a young infant is reported, with a history of Turner syndrome, who is led to correction of aortic coarctation plus arch hypoplasia, presenting as a postoperative complication a picture of emphysematous gastritis with systemic compromise, a process that was favored by low cardiac output post-pump and the presence of early urosepsis, all of which was interpreted as part of the spectrum of non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia syndrome. Its early diagnosis made possible a prompt intervention consisting of parenteral nutritional support, acid brake, broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and strict radiological follow-up, achieving complete resolution of her symptoms, without short-term complications. This case demonstrated that the identification of risk factors for splanchnic ischemia, a high clinical suspicion and careful medical management, allowed a favorable outcome for a disease with a high mortality rate and very few cases reported in the pediatric population.

Neumatosis quística intestinal en un adulto joven sin antecedentes clínicos: reporte de caso / Cystic intestinal pneumatosis in a young adult with no clinical history: Case report

Resumen La neumatosis quística intestinal se refiere a la presencia de gas dentro de la pared del intestino delgado o grueso, puede ser asintomática y potencialmente mortal cuando se presentan complicaciones. Las causas de esta entidad incluyen enfermedades pulmonares, sistémicas, intestinales, medicamentosas, causas iatrogénicas y traumáticas. Se presenta el caso de un hombre de 35 años de edad sin antecedentes de importancia que consultó por dolor en el hemiabdomen inferior, con un diagnóstico imagenológico de neumatosis quística intestinal, neumoperitoneo y peritonitis, complicación secundaria a esta patología, por lo que se realizó el manejo quirúrgico, laparotomía y resección de segmento colónico, que se analizó histopatológicamente y se confirmó el diagnostico; finalmente, fue dado de alta después de finalizar el tratamiento antibiótico.

Abstract Cystic intestinal pneumatosis refers to the presence of gas within the wall of the small or large intestine. It can be asymptomatic and life-threatening when complications occur. The causes of this entity include pulmonary, systemic, intestinal, drug, iatrogenic and traumatic factors. The following is the case of a 35-year-old man who presented with pain in his lower hemiabdomen and had no previous medical history. Imaging scans showed intestinal cystic pneumatosis and secondary pneumoperitoneum and peritonitis. The patient was taken to laparotomy, and a colonic segment was resected and sent to pathology. The diagnosis was confirmed by a biopsy. The patient was discharged after completing antibiotic treatment.

A Case of Idiopathic Pneumoperitoneum Suspected to Be Caused by Pneumatosis Intestinalis / 日本農村医学会雑誌

A man in his 40s visited our hospital with a chief complaint of upper abdominal pain after defecation. His general and local conditions were good. Intraperitoneal free air was detected on an abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan, and laboratory tests revealed leukocytosis. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed no abnormalities. Emergent laparotomy was performed because of the suspected intestinal perforation, but neither perforation nor peritonitis was observed. Bacterial culture of intraperitoneal lavage fluid was negative. The postoperative course was uneventful and he was discharged. Because the cause of pneumoperitoneum was unknown, the diagnosis was idiopathic pneumoperitoneum. However, we had the opportunity to evaluate abdominal CT images taken with the lung window setting 4 years before the operation, which showed pneumatosis intestinalis in the ileocecal region. It has been reported that metachronous pneumatosis intestinalis is sometimes detected in cases of pneumoperitoneum with pneumatosis intestinalis. Thus, pneumatosis intestinalis was suspected as the cause of pneumoperitoneum in this case.

Autopsy findings in a patient with primary systemic AL (kappa light chain) amyloidosis

First described by Rokitansky in 1842, and further characterized by Virchow in 1854, amyloidosis is a disorder caused by amyloid deposition, a fibrillary insoluble protein. The clinical spectrum of amyloidosis is broad, as the amyloid deposition may virtually occur in all tissues. Herein, we report the case of a 66-year-old man with a long-lasting emaciating disease, diagnosed, at autopsy, with primary systemic amyloidosis. Amyloid protein deposition was found in many tissues and organs. The involvement of the vessels' wall rendered ischemic injury most prominent in the intestinal loops causing mesenteric ischemia. Despite the thorough organic involvement, the immediate cause of death was aspiration bronchopneumonia. Massive amyloid deposition was found in virtually all major organs, such as the heart, liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, adrenals, prostate, skin, and thyroid: the latter, a complication of the amyloidosis known as amyloid goiter. Post-mortem review of the deceased's laboratory workup showed a slightly abnormal kappa:lambda ratio in the blood; however, no clonal lymphoplasmacytic disorder was confirmed in the bone marrow and other lymphoreticular system organs either by the microscopic examination and immunohistochemical staining. Laser-capture microdissection and tandem mass spectrometry of the splenic tissue detected a peptide profile consistent with an immunoglobulin Kappa light chain. The presence of amyloid purpura favors the diagnosis of primary systemic amyloidosis.

Pneumatosis intestinalis as a presentation of Crohn's disease: a case report / Neumatosis intestinal como presentación de la enfermedad de Crohn: reporte de un caso

ABSTRACT Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is defined as presence of gas within the intestinal wall. It is a rare condition, usually associated with a wide variety of pathologies. It requires a special diagnostic approach to determine underlying etiology. We present the case of a 18 year old woman with chronic abdominal pain, who presents with peritoneal signs and pneumoperitoneum. Laparoscopy showed NI. Thereafter, Crohn´s disease was diagnosed by balloon enteroscopy.

RESUMEN La neumatosis intestinal (NI) es la presencia de gas en la pared intestinal. Es un hallazgo infrecuente, generalmente presente en una gran variedad de patologías. Requiere de un abordaje diagnóstico detallado para determinar su etiología. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 17 años con dolor abdominal crónico, quien se presenta con signos de irritación peritoneal y neumoperitoneo. Con hallazgo quirúrgico de NI en el intestino delgado, a quién mediante enteroscopia se le diagnóstica enfermedad de Crohn.

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis - an incidental finding with unpredictable evolution / Pneumatose cistoide intestinal - um achado incidental com evolução imprevisível

Abstract Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is an uncommon disease with unknown etiology characterized by the presence of multiple gas-filled cysts within the submucosa or subserosa of the intestinal wall. Pneumoperitoneum and/or intestinal perforation are complications that may be associated with pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis. The patients are often prone to misdiagnosis or mistreatment.We are presenting a case of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis in a 42 year-old woman affected by peritoneal free air and numerous, diffuse, bubble-like intramural gas collections into the jejunum and ileum, showed in CT-enterography images. The woman had a carcinoid tumor located in jejunum two years ago, treated with enterectomy. Recent complaints of nonspecific symptoms of abdominal discomfort and diarrhea motivated the realization of CT scan, serum chromogranin and urine 5-hidroxindolacetic acid for hypothesis of tumor carcinoid recurrence withdraw. The only change found was the presence of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis in CT-enterography images without intestinal necrosis, bleeding or evident obstruction. For that reason no surgical procedure was realized and the patient stayed on surveillance. Actually, the patient complaints are sporadic abdominal discomfort, without pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis clinical evidence. Conclusion: The treatment plan of patient with PCI depends on underlying cause and clinical condition severity. When conservative treatment is adopted the clinical evolution of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is unpredictable and can even disappear in an indeterminate number of patients.

Resumo A pneumatose cistoide intestinal é uma doença incomum, de etiologia desconhecida, caracterizada pela presença de múltiplos cistos preenchidos com gás na submucosa ou subserosa da parede intestinal. O pneumoperitoneu e/ou a perfuração intestinal são complicações que podem estar associadas à pneumatose cistoide intestinal. Os pacientes geralmente estão sujeitos a erros de diagnóstico ou de tratamento.Apresentamos um caso de pneumatose cistoide intestinal em paciente do sexo feminino, 42 anos de idade, com ar livre peritoneal e numerosas coleções gasosas intramurais, difusas e semelhantes a bolhas no jejuno e íleo, visualizados em imagens de enterografia por tomografia computadorizada (TC). Há dois anos, a paciente teve um tumor carcinoide localizado no jejuno que foi tratado com enterectomia. As queixas recentes de sintomas inespecíficos, desconforto abdominal e diarreia motivaram a realização da TC e exame de cromogranina sérica e ácido 5-hidroxindolacético na urina para excluir a hipótese de recorrência do tumor carcinoide. A única alteração encontrada foi a presença de pneumatose cistoide intestinal em imagens de enterografia por TC sem necrose intestinal, sangramento ou obstrução evidente. Por esse motivo, nenhum procedimento cirúrgico foi realizado, e a paciente permaneceu em observação. Atualmente, a queixa da paciente é de desconforto abdominal esporádico, sem evidência clínica de pneumatose cistoide intestinal. Conclusão: O plano de tratamento de pacientes com PCI depende da causa subjacente e da gravidade da condição clínica. Quando o tratamento conservador é adotado, a evolução clínica da pneumatose cistoide intestinal é imprevisível e pode até desaparecer em alguns pacientes.

Neumatosis quística intestinal y peritoneal, causa de neumoperitoneo. Revisión de la literatura a propósito de un caso / Intestinal and peritoneal cystic pneumatosis as a cause of pneumoperitoneum. Review of the literature about a case

Introducción. La neumatosis intestinal es una condición rara que se caracteriza por la infiltración submucosa o subserosa de gas en el tubo digestivo. Se encuentra más frecuentemente en el intestino delgado y, pocas veces, en localización extraintestinal. Su prevalencia estimada es de 0,03 %.Métodos. Se hizo una búsqueda bibliográfica en las bases de datos biomédicas Medline Pubmed, Science Direct, Tripdatabase y Uptodate, usando como palabras clave 'neumoperitoneo' y 'neumatosis cistoide intestinal' Para la presentación del caso clínico, se tomaron datos de la historia clínica y, además, imágenes de radiografía, tomografías y material fotográfico del procedimiento quirúrgico.Presentación del caso. Se trata de una mujer de 63 años de edad con antecedentes de colagenopatía, que consultó por dolor y distensión abdominal. Aunque no tenía signos de irritación peritoneal, las imágenes diagnósticas revelaron neumoperitoneo y líquido libre en la cavidad peritoneal, por lo que se sospechó una perforación intestinal y se practicó una laparotomía exploratoria, en la cual se encontró neumatosis quística intestinal y peritoneal.Conclusiones. No todos los casos de neumoperitoneo requieren cirugía. Existen casos espontáneos y sin irritación peritoneal, secundarios a neumatosis quística intestinal. En los casos de neumoperitoneo en pacientes estables con un diagnostico etiológico no muy claro, y en quienes se desee descartar perforación intestinal o isquemia mediante exploración quirúrgica, la laparoscopia diagnóstica es una buena opción y menos agresiva que la laparotomía

Introduction: Intestinal pneumatosis is a rare condition that is characterized by submucosal or subserosal gas infiltration in the digestive tract. It is found more frequently in the small intestine, and rarely in an extraintestinal location. Its estimated prevalence is 0.03%.Methods: A literature search was performed in the Medline Pubmed, Sciencedirect, Trip database and Up to date databases, using as keywords Pneumoperitoneum and Intestinal Cystoid Neumatosis. For the presentation of the clinical case, medical history data were collected, in addition to radiography images, tomography and photographic material of the surgical procedure.Clinical case: This is a 63-year-old woman with a history of collagenopathy, who consulted for abdominal pain and distension. Although she had no signs of peritoneal irritation, diagnostic images revealed pneumoperitoneum and free fluid in the peritoneal cavity. Intestinal perforation was suspected, and an exploratory laparotomy was performed, in which intestinal and peritoneal cystic pneumatosis in was found.Conclusions: Not all cases of pneumoperitoneum require surgery. There are spontaneous cases without peritoneal irritation, secondary to intestinal cystic pneumatosis. In cases of pneumoperitoneum in stable patients, with a not very clear etiological diagnosis, and in those who wish to rule out intestinal perforation or ischemia by surgical exploration, diagnostic laparoscopy is a good option and less aggressive than laparotomy

Neumatosis intestinal: Rara presentación de abdomen agudo / Pneumatosis intestinalis: a rare presentation of acute abdomen

La neumatosis intestinal es una entidad poco frecuente. Se caracteriza por la presencia de gas en la subserosa o submucosa, o en ambas, a través del tracto gastrointestinal. Presentamos dos casos en los cuales el motivo de consulta fue dolor abdominal generalizado asociado a reacción peritoneal. Se realizó tomografía computarizada (TC) en ambos casos, donde se evidenciaron distensión intestinal, neumatosis intestinal y neumatosis portal. Posteriormente se llevó acabo laparotomía de urgencia y se encontró necrosis intestinal con isquemia mesentérica, hallazgo compatible con imágenes tomográficas. Ambos pacientes fallecieron (uno durante el acto quirúrgico y el otro en el posquirúrgico inmediato).

Pneumatosis intestinalis is a rare condition characterized by the presence of gas in the submucosa or subserosa of the intestinal wall. We report two cases associated with generalized abdominal pain and rebound tenderness. The computed tomography (CT) scans in both cases showed bowel distention, pneumatosis intestinalis and portal venous gas. Both patients underwent emergency surgery which demonstrated bowel necrosis with mesenteric ischemia, consistent with the CT images. Both patients died (one during surgery and the other in the immediate postoperative period).

Enterocolitis necrotizante del adulto, ¿una presentación atípica de la isquemia mesentérica? / Adult necrotizing enterocolitis, an atypical presentation of mesenteric ischemia?

La enterocolitis necrosante en adultos (ECNA) es una enfermedad de etiología incierta, muy infrecuente, con apenas casos descritos en la literatura y con elevada mortalidad. Existe una fuerte correlación entre eventos vasculares e infecciosos implicados en la patogenia de necrosis intestinal masiva en esta entidad.

Necrotizing enterocolitis in adults (ECNA) is a disease of uncertain etiology, very rare, with very few cases described in the literature and with high mortality. There is a strong correlation between vascular and infectious events involved in the pathogenesis of massive intestinal necrosis in this entity.

Clinical and endoscopic characteristics analysis of 116 patients with pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis in colon / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective To analyze the clinical and endoscopic characteristics of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis ( PCI) in colon. Methods Data of 116 patients with colonic PCI admitted at Beijing Friendship Hospital from January 2005 to June 2018 were retrospectively collected, including age, gender, clinical manifestations, lesion size, location, and morphology. The clinical and endoscopic characteristics of colonic PCI were analyzed. Results The 116 patients included 54 males and 62 females, with age of 59. 11±13. 13 years (ranged, 17-91 years). Fifty cases (43. 10％) had a single lesion, and 66 cases (56. 90％) had multiple lesions. The detection rate of colonic PCI was 0. 40‰ ( 1/2524) to 2. 03‰(8/3945). Clinical manifestations included no symptom (24. 14％, 28/116), abdominal pain (18. 97％,22/116) , and elevated tumor markers ( 17. 24％, 20/116 ) . A total of 168 lesions were found under colonoscopy, and were single or multiple submucosal hemispherical or spherical cystic eminence of different sizes with soft surface, and some had hyperemia and erosion on the mucosal surface. The size of lesions was clearly recorded in 66 cases among the 116 patients, with 1. 61±0. 87 cm (ranged, 0. 3-5. 0 cm). The diameter of lesions was 1. 0-<2. 0 cm in 30 cases ( 45. 45％) . The single PCI was mostly located in ascending (38. 00％, 19/50) and transverse ( 28. 00％, 14/50) colon, and multiple PCIs were mostly located in ascending ( 28. 81％, 34/118 ) , sigmoid ( 22. 03％, 26/118 ) and descending ( 17. 80％, 21/118) colon. Conclusion Colonic PCI is a rare disease in clinic with non-specific clinical manifestations, and colonoscopy is an effective diagnostic method. It is apt to happen in elder patients and often found in ascending colon.

Benign versus life-threatening causes of pneumatosis intestinalis: differentiating CT features

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic performance of CT findings in differentiating causes of pneumatosis intestinalis (PI), including benign and life-threatening causes. METHODS: All CT reports containing the word "pneumatosis" were queried from June 1st, 2006 to May 31st, 2015. A total of 42 patients with PI were enrolled (mean age, 63.4 years; 23 males and 19 females) and divided into two groups on based on electronic medical records: a benign group (n=24) and a life-threatening group (n=18). Two radiologists reviewed CT images and evaluated CT findings including bowel distension, the pattern of bowel wall enhancement, bowel wall defect, portal venous gas (PVG), mesenteric venous gas (MVG), extraluminal free air, and ascites. RESULTS: CT findings including bowel distension, decreased bowel wall enhancement, PVG, and ascites were more commonly identified in the life-threatening group (all p<0.05). All cases with PVG were included in the life-threatening group (8/18 patients, 44.4%). Bowel wall defect, extraluminal free air, and mesenteric venous gas showed no statistical significance between both groups. CONCLUSION: PI and concurrent PVG, bowel distension, decreased bowel wall enhancement, or ascites were significantly associated with life-threatening causes and unfavorable prognosis. Thus, evaluating ancillary CT features when we encountered PI would help us characterize the causes of PI and determine the appropriate treatment option.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Avaliar o desempenho diagnóstico dos achados CT em causas diferenciadoras da pneumatose intestinal (PI), incluindo causas benignas e que ameaçam a vida. MÉTODOS: Todos os relatórios CT contendo a palavra "pneumatose" foram questionados de 10 de junho de 2006 a 31 de maio de 2015. Um total de 42 pacientes com PI foi matriculado (idade média 63,4 anos, 23 do sexo masculino e 19 do sexo feminino) e divididos em dois grupos na base de registros médicos elétricos: grupo benigno, n = 24 e grupo com risco de vida, n = 18. Dois radiologistas analisaram as imagens da CT e avaliaram seus achados, incluindo distensão intestinal, padrão de realce da parede intestinal, defeito da parede intestinal, gás venoso portal (PVG), gás venoso mesentérico (MVG), ar extraluminal e ascite. RESULTADOS: Achados CT, incluindo distensão intestinal, diminuição do realce da parede intestinal. PVG e ascite foram mais comumente identificados em grupo com risco de vida (todos p < 0,05, respectivamente). Todos os casos com PVG foram incluídos em grupo com risco de vida (8/18 pacientes, 44,4%). Defeito da parede do intestino, ar livre extraluminal e gás venoso mesentérico não mostraram significância estatística entre dois grupos. CONCLUSÃO: PI e PVG concorrente, distensão intestinal, diminuição do aumento da parede do intestino ou ascites foram significativamente associados com causas que ameaçaram a vida e prognóstico desfavorável. Portanto, avaliar os recursos de CT auxiliares quando encontramos PI nos ajudaria a caracterizar as causas de PI e determinar a opção de tratamento apropriada.

Portograma aéreo y neumatosis intestinal como hallazgos incidentales en postoperatorio de cirugía abdominal / Hepatic portal venous gas and pneumatosis intestinalis as incidental findings in post-surgical abdominal surgery

Portograma aéreo o portograma de aire (PA), se define como la presencia de aire en el sistema venoso portomesentérico. Neumatosis intestinal (NI) se define como la presencia de aire en la pared intestinal, independiente de su causa o localización. La principal etiología de estas alteraciones es la isquemia intestinal aguda y en general, se consideran predictores de perforación intestinal y de mal pronóstico. Un pequeño grupo de pacientes con PA y/o NI pueden evolucionar sin complicaciones e incluso cursan sin manifestaciones clínicas. Presentamos el caso de una paciente con antecedente quirúrgico inmediato de gastrectomía total y reconstrucción en Y de Roux, que evidenció en tomografía computarizada (TC) de abdomen de control PA y NI, sin alteraciones clínicas significativas asociadas.

Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is defined as the presence of air in the portal venous system. Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is defined as the presence of air within the bowel wall, regardless of its cause or location. Its main etiology is the intestinal ischemia and are generally considered predictors of intestinal perforation and wrong prognosis. A small group of patients with HPVG and PI may have a different clinical course, without complications and clinical manifestations. We report the case of a patient with immediate surgical history of total gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y reconstruction, which showed in computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen HPVG and PI, without associated clinically significant changes.

Treatment experience of large area cerebral infarction with portal vein pneumatosis / 中国中西医结合急救杂志

Acute cerebral infarction possesses the characteristics of high incidence, high disability rate and high mortality, especially in patients with large area cerebral infarction accompanied by a variety of chronic diseases,such as systemic hypertension, hyperglycemia, obesity, etc risk factors, their mortality will be much higher. Simultaneously, in the treatment of large area cerebral infarction, special attention should be paid on monitoring the disease situation changes of patients' electrolyte balance, digestive system and other systems; in this study, the experiences of treating a patient with large area cerebral infarction and occurrence of serious complications as portal vein pneumatosis, intestinal obstruction, etc in the course of disease were summarized.

Neumatosis intestinal, un hallazgo intraoperatorio inusual / Pneumatosis Intestinalis: A rare intraoperative finding

Resumen Introducción. La neumatosis intestinal (NI) es una entidad rara que se caracteriza por la presencia de gas en la pared del intestino y suele diagnosticarse como un hallazgo radiológico incidental. Caso clínico. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 63 años con historia de epigastralgia crónica, quien consulta por cuadro clínico de una semana de evolución consistente en dolor abdominal difuso asociado a distensión abdominal, anorexia, emesis y diarrea. Al examen físico se encuentra un abdomen distendido, timpánico, doloroso a la palpación, con ruidos intestinales disminuidos y sin signos de irritación peritoneal. Se realiza radiografía simple de abdomen que evidencia sobredistensión de asas intestinales, formación de niveles hidroaéreos, ausencia de gas distal y neumoperitoneo, por lo que es llevada a laparotomía exploratoria, donde se halla NI severa de los últimos 100cm de íleon. Discusión. La NI, en especial la variante quística, es una patología inusual de la que, según la revisión realizada, se han descrito 565 casos en todo el mundo y 6 en Latinoamérica; es posible que su difícil diagnóstico haga que pase desapercibida. Aunque se considera que el diagnóstico es netamente radiológico, el 40% de los casos se evidencian en hallazgos quirúrgicos, como sucedió en esta paciente. La indicación quirúrgica para este caso fue el neumoperitoneo, complicación más común (51%).

Abstract Introduction: Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is a rare entity characterized by the presence of gas in the intestine wall, which is usually diagnosed as an incidental radiological finding. Clinical case: This paper reports the case of a 63-year-old patient with a history of chronic epigastralgia, who consulted due to a clinical picture of 1 week of evolution consisting of diffuse abdominal pain associated with abdominal distension, anorexia, emesis and diarrhea. Physical examination revealed a distended, tympanic abdomen, painful on palpation, with decreased bowel sounds and no signs of peritoneal irritation. A simple abdominal radiograph was performed, showing overdistension of intestinal loops, air-fluid levels, absence of distal gas and pneumoperitoneum. The patient was taken to exploratory laparotomy, where severe PI was observed in the final 100cm of the ileum. Discussion: PI, especially the cystic variant, is a rare pathology, with only 565 cases described worldwide and 6 in Latin America. This condition may go unnoticed due to its difficult diagnosis. Although diagnosis is considered to be radiological, 40% of the cases are found during surgery, as was the case of this patient. Surgical indication for this case was pneumoperitoneum, the most common complication (51%).

Neumatosis quística intestinal complicada con vólvulo intestinal / Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis complicated with intestinal volvulus

La neumatosis quística intestinal es una condición infrecuente caracterizada por la presencia de quistes con gas en la subserosa o submucosa del tracto gastrointestinal. Su patogénesis es incierta y se han propuesto varios mecanismos patogénicos para explicar su origen. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de sexo masculino de 46 años de edad con diagnóstico previo de neumatosis quística intestinal, que consultó por dolor abdominal, vómitos y fiebre (39 °C). Ingreso con signos de irritación peritoneal. La radiografía simple de abdomen reportó distensión intestinal y niveles hidroaéreos. Se realizó laparotomía exploratoria que reveló vólvulo de intestino delgado con estrangulamiento de algunas asas intestinales. El diagnóstico anatomopatológico fue neumatosis quística intestinal complicada con Infarto transmural por vólvulo intestinal. El paciente evoluciono satisfactoriamente

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is a rare condition in which multiple gas-filled cysts are found within the wall of the gastrointestinal tract either in the subserosa or submucosa. Its pathogenesis is uncertain and several pathogenic mechanisms have been proposed to explain its origin. The case of a male patient of 46 years with previous diagnosis of pneumatosis cystic intestinalis, who consulted for abdominal pain, vomiting and fever (39 °C) is presented. By the time of admission ther were signs of peritoneal irritation. The X-ray abdominal reported distension and intestinal hydro-air levels. Exploratory laparotomy was performed and revealed small bowel volvulus with strangulation of some intestinal segment. Histological diagnosis was pneumatosis cystic intestinalis complicated with Infarction trans-mural by intestinal volvulus. The patient evolved satisfactorily.

Neumatosis intestinal: ¿una urgencia abdominal? / Cystic pneumatosis intestinalis: an emergency?

Resumen El auge de las imágenes diagnósticas, en especial de la tomografía computarizada multidetector ha permitido que entidades poco conocidas sean detectadas con relativa frecuencia. Inicialmente, se creía que todos los pacientes con neumatosis intestinal padecían enfermedades abdominales graves o presentaban complicaciones que requerían un manejo quirúrgico inmediato, pero al conocer mejor esta entidad, en parte gracias al aumento en el número de tomografías realizadas en la práctica diaria, se ha demostrado que la neumatosis intestinal también puede presentarse en pacientes asintomáticos o asociada a entidades benignas. Es importante conocer los signos y síntomas que ayudan a diferenciar las formas benignas de neumatosis de aquellas que ponen en peligro la vida del paciente y requieren manejo quirúrgico. Presentamos dos casos de neumatosis intestinal y una revisión de la literatura que ayudarán a aclarar la presentación por imágenes y etiología de esta entidad poco conocida.

Abstract Penumatosis intestinalis is a clinical condition that has been increasingly detected in recent years with the escalating use of computed tomography for abdominal imaging. Previously, it was thought that all the patients cursing with penumatosis intestinalis had life threatening conditions that required immediate surgical treatment. With the increased detection of this radiologic entity, benign causes have been described for example the cystic pneumatosis intestinalis, which in the mayority of times is an isolated finding and does not require surgery. It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms that help differentiate the benign forms, from those that are life-threatening conditions and require surgery. We report two cases of pneumatosis cystoides and a review of the literature that will illustrate the imaging findings and etiology of this rare entity.