Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Pneumatosis intestinalis

  • Published:
Gastrointestinal Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Pneumatosis intestinalis is a usually benign condition which may affect any segment of the gastrointestinal tract from the stomach to rectum. Occasionally, however, it may be a grave prognostic sign. This article presents the spectrum of diagnotic radiographic features of the entity with emphasis on differentiation of the underlying etiologic factors. Representative examples of pneumatosis intestinalis complicating various gastrointestinal disorders are illustrated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Koss LG: Abdominal gas cysts (pneumatosis cystoides intestinorum hominis). An analysis with a report of a case and a critical review of the literature.Arch Pathol 53:523–549, 1952

    Google Scholar 

  2. Shapiro, BJ, Track AA, Myers E: Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis involving the left side of the colon.Can Med Assoc J 92:219–224, 1964

    Google Scholar 

  3. Colquhoun J: Intramural gas in hollow viscera.Can Radiol 16:71–86, 1965

    Google Scholar 

  4. Ecker JA, Williams RG, Clay KL: Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis—Bullous emphysema of the intestine. A review of the literature.Am J Gastroenterol 56:125–136, 1971

    Google Scholar 

  5. Olmsted WW, Madewell JE: Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis.Gastrointest Radiol, 1:177–181, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  6. Varano V, Bonanno C: Colonoscopic findings in pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis.Am J Gastroenterol 59:353–360, 1973

    Google Scholar 

  7. Shallal J, van Heerdon J, Bartholomew L, Cain J: Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis.Mayo Clin Proc 49:180–184, 1974

    Google Scholar 

  8. MacKenzie EP: Pneumatosis intestinalis.Pediatrics 7:537–549, 1951

    Google Scholar 

  9. Mujahed Z, Evans JA: Gas cysts of the intestine (pneumatosis intestinalis).Surg Gynecol Obstet 107:151–160, 1958

    Google Scholar 

  10. Druckmann A, Schwartz A, Rabinovici N, Feuchtwanger M: Pneumatosis of the intestines.Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med 86:911–919, 1961

    Google Scholar 

  11. Keyting WS, McCarver RR, Kovarik JL, Daywitt AL: Pneumatosis intestinalis: A new concept.Radiology 76:733–741, 1961

    Google Scholar 

  12. Smith WG, Anderson MJ Jr, Pemerton HW: Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis involving left portion of colon. Report of four cases diagnosed at sigmoidoscopy.Gastroenterology 35:528–533, 1958

    Google Scholar 

  13. Bloch C: The natural history of pneumatosis coli.Radiology 123:311–314, 1977

    Google Scholar 

  14. Wyatt, AP. Prolonged symptomatic and radiological remission of colonic gas cysts after oxygen therapy.Br J Surg 62:837–839, 1975

    Google Scholar 

  15. Gruenberg JC, Batra SK, Prigst RJ: Treatment of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis with oxygen.Arch Surg 112:62–64, 1977

    Google Scholar 

  16. Simon N, Nyman K, Divertie M, Rovelstad R, King J: Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis: Treatment with oxygen via close fitting mask.JAMA 231:1354–1356, 1975

    Google Scholar 

  17. Berdon WE, Grossman H, Baker DH, Mizrahi A, Barlow O, Blanc WA: Necrotizing enterocolitis in the premature infant.Radiology 83:879–887, 1964

    Google Scholar 

  18. Seaman WB, Fleming RJ, Baker DH: Pneumatosis intestinalis of the small bowel.Semin Roentgenol 1:234–242, 1966

    Google Scholar 

  19. Mueller CF, Morehead R, Alter AJ, Michener W: Pneumatosis intestinalis in collagen disorders.Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med 115:300–305, 1972

    Google Scholar 

  20. Nelson SW: Extraluminal gas collections due to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med 115:225–248, 1972

    Google Scholar 

  21. Bryk D: Unusual causes of small bowel pneumatosis: Perforated duodenal ulcer and perforated jejunal diverticula.Radiology 106:299–302, 1973

    Google Scholar 

  22. Ghahremani GG, Port RB, Beachley MC: Pneumatosis coli in Crohn's disease.Am J Dig Dis 19:315–323, 1974

    Google Scholar 

  23. Robinson AE, Grossman H, Brumley GW: Pneumatosis intestinalis in the neonate.Am J. Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med 120:333–341, 1974

    Google Scholar 

  24. Seaman WB, Fleming RJ: Intramural gastric emphysema.Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med 101:431–436, 1967

    Google Scholar 

  25. Berens SV, Moskowitz H, Mellins HZ: Air within the wall of the stomach.Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med 103:310–313, 1968

    Google Scholar 

  26. Chilaiditi D: Zur Frage der Hepatoptose und Ptose im Allgemeinen im Anschluß an drei Fälle von temporärer partieller Leberverlagerung.Fortschr Geb Roentgenstr 16:173–208. 1910–1911

    Google Scholar 

  27. Moreau P: Sur un cas d'hepatoptose par interposition avec kystes gazeux de l'intestin. Examen radiologique vérifié par l'intervention.Arch Elect Méd 27:393, 1917

    Google Scholar 

  28. Forfota E: Die Pneumatosis cystoides intestini im Röntgenbild.Fortschr Geb Roentgenstr 53:131–139, 1936

    Google Scholar 

  29. Dressler M: Über die Pneumatosis cystoides intestini.Helv Med Acta 6:229–254, 1939

    Google Scholar 

  30. Kenney JG: Pneumatosis intestinalis.Clin Radiol 14:70–76, 1963

    Google Scholar 

  31. Scott JR, Miller WT, Urso M, Stadalnik R: Acute, mesenteric infaction.Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med 113:269–279, 1971

    Google Scholar 

  32. Meyers MA, Evans JA: Effects of pancreatitis on the small bowel and colon: Spread along mesenteric planes.Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med 119:151–165, 1973

    Google Scholar 

  33. Rigler LO, Pogue WL: Roentgen signs of intestinal necrosis.Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med 94:402–409, 1965

    Google Scholar 

  34. Johnson WC, Nasbeth DC: Visceral infarction following aortic surgery.Ann Surg 180:312–318, 1974

    Google Scholar 

  35. Rosenquist CJ: An unusual pattern of intramural gas in small bowel infarction.Radiology 99:337–338. 1971

    Google Scholar 

  36. McKain J, Shumacker HB Jr: Ischemia of the left colon associated with abdominal aortic aneurysms and their treatment.Arch Surg 76:355–357, 1958

    Google Scholar 

  37. Miercort RD, Merrill FG: Pneumatosis and pseudoobstruction in scleroderma.Radiology 92:359–362, 1969

    Google Scholar 

  38. Gompels BM: Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis associated with progressive systemic sarcoidosis.Br J Radiol 42:701–703, 1969

    Google Scholar 

  39. Oliveros MA, Herbst JJ, Lester PD, Ziter FA: Pneumatosis intestinalis in childhood dermatomyositis.Pediatrics 52:711–712, 1973

    Google Scholar 

  40. Kleinman P, Meyers MA, Abbott G, Kazam E: Necrotizing enterocolitis with pneumatosis intestinalis in systemic lupus erythematosus and polyarteritis.Radiology 121:595–598, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  41. Freiman D, Chon H, Bilaniuk L: Pneumatosis intestinalis in systemic lupus erythematosus.Radiology 116:563–564, 1975

    Google Scholar 

  42. Marshak RH, Lipsay JJ, Friedman AI: Pneumatosis of the colon.JAMA 148:1416–1417, 1952

    Google Scholar 

  43. Marshak RH, Lindner AE, Milano AM: Pneumatosis coli.Am J Gastroenterol 56:68–73, 1971

    Google Scholar 

  44. Mengis O:Radiol Schriften 7:222. 1938. Cited by Koss

    Google Scholar 

  45. Martyak S, Curtis L: Pneumatosis intestinalis a complication of jejunoileal bypass.JAMA 235:1038–1039, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  46. Passaro E, Drenick E, Wilson S: Bypass enteritis.Am J Surg 131:169–173, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  47. Feinberg SB, Schwartz MZ, Clifford S, Buchwald H, Varco RL: Significance of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis after jejunoileal bypass.Am J Surg 133:149–152, 1977

    Google Scholar 

  48. Clements JL Jr: Intestinal pneumatosis—A complication of the jejuno-ileal bypass procedure.Gastrointest Radiol (in press)

  49. Borns PF, Johnston TA: Indolent pneumatosis of bowel wall associated with immune suppressive therapy.Ann Radiol 16:163–166, 1973

    Google Scholar 

  50. Keats TE, Smith TH: Benign pneumatosis intestinalis in childhood leukemia.Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med 122:150–152, 1974

    Google Scholar 

  51. McSweeney WJ, Stempel DA: Noniatrogenic pneumomediastinum in infancy and childhood.Pediatr Radiol 1:139–144, 1973

    Google Scholar 

  52. Rienhoff WF III, Collins NP Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis and regional enteritis.Ann Surg 149:593–599, 1959

    Google Scholar 

  53. Broecker BH, Moore EE: Pneumoperitoneum due to pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis in idiopathic megacolon.JAMA 237:1963, 1977

    Google Scholar 

  54. Doub HP, Shea JJ: Pneumatosis cystoides intestinlis.JAMA 172:1238–1243, 1960

    Google Scholar 

  55. Elliott GB, Elliott KA: The roentgenologic pathology of socalled pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis.Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med 89:720–729, 1963

    Google Scholar 

  56. Macklin CC: Transport of air along sheaths of pulmonic blood vessels from alveoli to mediastinum: Clinical implications.Arch Intern Med 64:913–926, 1939

    Google Scholar 

  57. Kay-Butler JJ: Interstitial emphysema of the cecum.Gut 3:267–268, 1962

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, 525 East 68th Street, 10021, New York, New York, USA

    Morton A. Meyers M.D. & Kenneth Goodman

  2. Department of Radiology, Evanston Hospital-Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois

    Gary G. Ghahremani

  3. Department of Radiology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    James L. Clements Jr.

Authors
  1. Morton A. Meyers M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gary G. Ghahremani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. James L. Clements Jr.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kenneth Goodman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Meyers, M.A., Ghahremani, G.G., Clements, J.L. et al. Pneumatosis intestinalis. Gastrointest Radiol 2, 91–105 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02256476

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02256476

Key words

Search

Navigation