[Portomesenteric and intestinal pneumatosis: It is not always what it seems]

Pneumatosis portomesenteric is an unusual radiological finding that traditionally has been associated with mesenteric acute ischemia, although there are many causes that may produce. It is associated with penumatosis intestinalis in 82% of cases, indicating severe abdominal pathology. Clinical diagnosis is difficult and the radiological study of choice is CT scan. The treatment depends on the underlying condition. Emergency laparotomy is indicated when data of mesenteric ischemia without massive intestinal necrosis, in- testinal obstruction with signs of strangulation, abdominal trauma with vascular injury or complicated inflammatory disease are present. Prognostic is poor in those cases associated with mesenteric ischemia, improving very much when the cause is not ischemic.