Pneumatosis intestinalis in mixed connective tissue disease

Two young female patients with established mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) are described, in whom the disease course was complicated by intestinal pseudo-obstruction and pneumoperitoneum due to pneumatosis intestinalis. Conservative management of this rare complication in MCTD, which included the use of high-flow normobaric oxygen by mask, led to a complete resolution of the abdominal symptoms in both patients.