A Case of Spontaneous Focal Intestinal Perforation due to Defect of the Intestinal Musculature

Spontaneous intestinal perforation is characterized by isolated mucosal ulceration with acute inflammation, submucosal edema and serosal inflammation, and considered as a separate clinical entity from necrotizing enterocolitis. The causes of spontaneous intestinal perforation are administration of indomethacin, dexamethasone, umbilical artery catheterization, defect of intestinal musculature, and systemic candidasis. Intestinal perforation caused by defects of intestinal musculature is rare, and its pathogenesis remains uncertain. The authors report one case of a premature infant with defect in intestinal musculature confirmed through postoperation biopsy who was misdiagnosed as intestinal perforation due to necrotizing enterocolitis.