Two Cases of Pneumatosis Coli Associated with Ischemic Colitis.
- Author:
Nu Ri CHON
1
;
Hyojin PARK
;
Kuen Man LEE
;
Hong Sun YOON
;
Sang Kyum KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. HJPARK21@yuhs.ac
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Pneumatosis coli;
Ischemic colitis
- MeSH:
Abdominal Pain;
Anti-Bacterial Agents;
Colitis, Ischemic;
Colon;
Colon, Sigmoid;
Colonoscopy;
Diarrhea;
Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage;
Hemorrhage;
Humans;
Intestinal Obstruction;
Intestinal Volvulus;
Intussusception;
Korea;
Metronidazole;
Mucous Membrane;
Oxygen;
Prognosis;
Rare Diseases
- From:Korean Journal of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
2008;37(3):222-226
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Pneumatosis coli (PC) is a rare disease that is characterized by multiple, varying-sized cysts at the mucosa or submucosa in the colon and sigmoid colon. About 85% of PC is associated in other gastrointestinal, pulmonary and connective diseases. Ischemic colitis is rarely associated with PC. The symptoms of PC are not specific, and the patients with this malady present with hematochezia, abdominal pain, diarrhea and other symptoms associated with their underlying diseases. Colonoscopy and computed tomography are recommended for making the diagnosis. The underlying diseases should be treated and oxygen therapy, intra-venous antibiotics and/or surgical treatment can be used. The prognosis is generally good, but volvulus, intussusception, intestinal obstruction, bleeding and perforation can occur in 3% of these patients. We experienced two patients who initially presented with hematochezia and they were found to have PC and ischemic colitis according to the colonoscopy exams; these are the first such reported cases in Korea. Both patients were treated conservatively with low-dose oxygen therapy and intra-venous metronidazole. We report here on 2 cases of PC associated with ischemic colitis, and we review the relevant literature.
