Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is a rare condition in which cystic gas is found in the submucosal and serosal tissues of the intestinal wall.

CASE REPORT: The patient, an 84-year-old woman, was referred to us because of abdominal distention and diarrhea lasting 2 weeks. On initial physical examination, there was marked abdominal distention without tenderness. Blood tests revealed no abnormalities, but simple abdominal radiographs showed gas in the small intestine. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed massive emphysema in the intestinal wall with no signs of portal gas or intestinal ischemia. The patient was diagnosed with PCI, and the prognosis was good. The patient showed improvement when managed with an elimination diet and follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: Herein, we present the characteristics and diagnosis of PCI because the imaging findings of PCI can appear more severe than the actual condition, causing it to be mistaken for other serious diseases, which leads to unnecessary surgical procedures.

Keywords: Diagnosis, Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis