Hepatic portal venous gas is a very rare radiologic sign which is characterized by gas accumulation in the portal venous circulation. Pneumatosis intestinalis is also very rare and is characterized by multiple air cysts in the serosal or submucosal layers of the gastrointestinal tract walls. These two findings are caused by various pathological conditions and can develop individually or simultaneously. The latter is clinically more significant because it is frequently related to bowel ischemia or necrosis, and represents a poor prognosis. However, prognosis is more influenced by the severity of underlying disease rather than hepatic portal venous gas or pneumatosis intestinalis itself. If bowel ischemia or necrosis is the primary cause, emergency operation is very important to improve patient's prognosis. Herein, we report a case of necrotizing colitis presenting as hepatic portal venous gas and pneumatosis intestinalis which was successfully managed by early surgery.
Colitis/complications/*diagnosis/surgery ; Humans ; Intestinal Perforation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Necrosis ; Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis/complications/*diagnosis ; Portal Vein ; Radiography, Abdominal ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is an uncommon condition of unknown etiology, characterized by the presence of multiple gas filled cysts in the gastrointestinal tract. Many different causes of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis have been proposed, including mechanical, pulmonary, and bacterial causes. Approximately 85% of cases are thought to be secondary to coexisting disorders of the gastrointestinal tract or the respiratory system. The condition has been associated with the therapeutic uses of lactulose, steroids, and various cancer chemotherapeutic regimens. Lactitol is a disaccharide analogue of lactulose which is available as a pure crystalline powder. There are three previous case reports suggestive of lactulose causing pnumatosis intestinalis. We report a case of recurrent pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis associated with benign recurrent pneumoperitoneum developed probably secondary to lactitol therapy.
Adult ; Cathartics/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis/*diagnosis/etiology/radiography ; Pneumoperitoneum/complications/*diagnosis ; Recurrence ; Sugar Alcohols/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI), characterized by presence of intramural gas cyst in the intestinal wall is associated with various medical condition. Polymyosistis, however, is rarely associated with PCI. Few cases are reported in the world, and none has not been reported previously in Korea. A 67-year-old woman with polymyositis developed mild abdominal pain and abdominal distension during treatment with steroid and azathioprine. Radiographic findings including CT scan showed intraperitoneal free gas and intramural air, compatible with PCI. The patient's symptom and clinical findings improved after the treatment with antibiotics and high-dose oxygen therapy.
Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use ; Azathioprine/therapeutic use ; Cefotaxime/therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy ; Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Polymyositis/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Prednisolone/therapeutic use ; Radiography, Abdominal ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI), characterized by presence of intramural gas cyst in the intestinal wall is associated with various medical condition. Polymyosistis, however, is rarely associated with PCI. Few cases are reported in the world, and none has not been reported previously in Korea. A 67-year-old woman with polymyositis developed mild abdominal pain and abdominal distension during treatment with steroid and azathioprine. Radiographic findings including CT scan showed intraperitoneal free gas and intramural air, compatible with PCI. The patient's symptom and clinical findings improved after the treatment with antibiotics and high-dose oxygen therapy.
Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use ; Azathioprine/therapeutic use ; Cefotaxime/therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy ; Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Polymyositis/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Prednisolone/therapeutic use ; Radiography, Abdominal ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed