pneumatosis intestinalis

multiple thin-walled, non-communicating, gas-filled cysts located in subserosa +/- submucosa with normal mucosa and muscularis

primary pneumatosis intestinalis (15%)
secondary pneumatosis intestinalis (85%)
- ischemia
  - necrotizing enterocolitis
  - mesenteric vascular disease
- trauma (sigmoidoscopy, biopsy, BE, postsurgical anastomosis)
- infection (primary infection, parasites, perforated jejunal tic)
- inflammation
  - inflammatory bowel disease
  - connective tissue disease (esp. scleroderma)
  - Whipple disease
- pulmonary dz (COPD, artificial ventilation)
- colonic obstruction (air dissecting distally)

see: pneumatosis cystoides

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© 2002, C.E. Kahn, Jr.
2002-04-18