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Pneumatosis intestinalis in the small bowel of an adult—a radiological sign of a serious post-operative complication

1981; Wiley; Volume: 54; Issue: 639 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1259/0007-1285-54-639-266

1748-880X

E.E. John Smith, Jada Saunders, N B Bowley,

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Studies

Pneumatosis intestinalis in the adult is usually described involving the colon and typically, it runs a benign course. This case report is of intramural gas in the small intestine of an adult, the development of which was of serious significance, and which was analogous to neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis. A 38-year-old lady originally presented in out-patients with a three-month history of five to six watery stools per day, associated with colicky abdominal pain. Examination at that time revealed no abnormal signs. One week later, before a barium enema had been performed, she was admitted as an emergency, passing large amounts of fresh blood per rectum. Initially her cardiovascular system was stable, but she continued to bleed briskly and as a result, became hypotensive.