Pneumatosis Intestinalis Presenting as Small Bowel Obstruction without Bowel Ischemia after Mechanical Ventilation

Dong Joon Kim1, Yong Joon Choi1, Young Sun Yoo2

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chosun University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea.

Acute and Critical Care
|November 15, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI), gas in bowel walls, is often secondary to other conditions. This case highlights imaging and management of extensive PI following mechanical ventilation for aspiration pneumonia.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Radiology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is a rare finding of gas within the bowel wall.
  • It is frequently secondary to various underlying pathologies, with approximately 85% of cases linked to other disorders.
  • The spectrum of associated conditions ranges from benign to life-threatening.

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