RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is air collections within the wall of the intestine that can be associated with life threatening conditions. Recurrent episodes of PI have been reported; however, little is known about risks for recurrent disease. This study aims to identify predictors of recurrent PI and evaluate long-term outcomes in patients with recurrent PI. METHODS: This retrospective case-control study evaluated patients, ages 6 months to 18 years, with imaging evidence of PI over a 30-month period. Images were analyzed by consensus to confirm PI. Recurrent PI was defined as new findings of PI after resolution by imaging and/or at least 1-month interval between episodes of PI. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed using logistic regression, with significance set to Pâ<â0.05. RESULTS: Forty-six children were included. Recurrent PI occurred in 17 (37%) patients, with a total of 39 episodes. Predictors of recurrent PI all related to the segment of bowel involved with small bowel PI predictive of recurrent PI (odds ratio [OR] 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01, 2.4) and colonic PI protective (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.4, 0.87) after adjusting for age. Predictors for surgical intervention included cerebral palsy (OR 17; 95% CI 1.7, 167) and PI involving small bowel (OR 19; 95% 3.1, 114). CONCLUSION: Location of PI is predictive of recurrence. Clinical outcomes were similar between groups with single episode and recurrent PI.
