In the more frequent secondary forms small intestine and the right side of the colon are mainly affected, and the underlying pathology can be gastrointestinal, pulmonary or. Since its first description, pi has appeared in the literature under many names, including pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis, intramural gas, pneumatosis coli. In particular, the cysts are located beneath the serosa and mucosa of the intestine with an increase, in recent years, of. Asymptomatic pneumoperitoneum may be associated with pneumatosis cystoides coli. Although pi can be seen on abdominal radiographs, ct is the most sensitive imaging. Intramural gas can also affect the stomach, but this condition is referred to as gastric pneumatosis. Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis as an infrequent cause of chronic. Vamsidhar rachapalli and sreedhara b chaluvashetty. Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is a rare pathology with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily misdiagnosed.
Abdominal angiotomography identified diffuse pneumatosis intestinalis with a predominantly cystic pattern, as well as abundant intraperitoneal free air, free fluid in. Abdominal ct scan revealed massive free air and dilated small intestine with gas inside the. Findings on plain radiography may reveal radiolucent linear or bubbly circular air bubbles in the bowel wall, with or without free gas accumulation in the peritoneal cavity. Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis pci is a rare disease characterized by the presence of gaseous cysts containing nitrogen, hydrogen and carbon dioxide in the intestinal wall that may be iatrogenic25 or associated with a wide variety of conditions69. Pneumatosis intestinalis pi is defined as the presence of gas in the bowel wall 14.
Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is an unusual condition with gasfilled cysts in the gastrointestinal tract. The overall incidence of pi in the general population has been reported to be 0. Images in clinical medicine from the new england journal of medicine pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis. Pneumatosis intestinalis pi refers to the presence of gas within the wall of the small or large intestine. Findings on plain radiography may reveal radiolucent linear or bubbly circular air bubbles in the bowel wall, with or without free gas accumulation. Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is characterized by multiple gas cysts in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis in patients with systemic. Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis pci is a rare gastrointestinal. The underlying causes of the gas can vary widely and different hypotheses regarding its pathophysiology have been postulated. After observing the pneumoperitoneum in a plain xray, an urgent abdominal ct scan was ordered that showed free intraperitoneal gas, mainly in the left flank.