Pneumatosis Intestinalis Associated with Pulmonary Disorders

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE@#To determine the clinical features, imaging findings and possible causes of pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) in thoracic disorder patients.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#From 2005 to 2017, Among 62 PI patients, four of PI related with thoracic disease (6%) were identified. Medical records were reviewed to determine the clinical presentation, laboratory findings and treatment at the time of presentation of PI. Two experienced chest radiologists reviewed all imaging studies and recorded specific findings for each patient.@*RESULTS@#The causative thoracic diseases for each four patient were severe asthma, emphysema and airway obstruction. The imaging appearance of PI, including the involved bowel segment and pattern of the air, were divided into two mesenteric vascular territories; three of our cases showed linear pattern of PI located in the ascending & proximal transverse colon and the fourth case (lung cancer) had bubbly and cystic PI in the distal transverse and descending colon. All of the remaining 3 patients, except one patient who had not been followed up, improved within 1 month by conservative treatment.@*CONCLUSION@#Thoracic disorder with obstructive lung disease may result in the development of benign PI. Such PI in thoracic disease patients has a similar linear and cystic appearance with ischemic bowel disease, but can nevertheless be managed by conservative treatment.