Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis Due to Cholelithiasis: A Case Report

Year 2017, Volume: 8 Issue: 1, 1 - 3, 01.01.2017

Abstract

Introduction: Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is a rare condition with an unknown origin, defined as the appearance of gas-filled cysts in the intestinal wall. It usually occurs due to other clinical origins. Radiological imaging has been suggested for diagnosis. The treatment varies according to the patient’s clinical condition and radiological imagings from conservative treatment to the intestinal resection.Case Report: A 77 year-old female patient presented to the emergency room with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal distention. The patient’s vital signs were in the normal range. Physical examination revealed an abdominal distention with inspection and general abdominal tenderness in all quadrants, especially the right upper side, with palpation. Intestinal-type air-fluid level was seen on direct abdominal radiography; therefore, we performed abdominal CT. CT detected the gall stone with free air around the stone and PCI view on the intestinal wall Conclusion: An emergency physician should keep PCI in mind; they should not misinterpret findings with intestinal obstruction and mesenteric ischemia on radiological scans and clinical signs. An emergency physician should keep PCI in mind. They should not misinterpret findings with intestinal obstruction and mesenteric ischemia on radiological scans and clinical signs

Keywords

Cholelithiasis, pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis, abdominal pain