PNEUMOPERITONEUM AND PNEUMATOSIS CYSTOIDES INTESTINALIS, A DANGEROUS MIXTURE. A CASE REPORT

BACKGROUND: Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is a rare condition characterized by gas infiltrationinto the intestine wall. When gas is seen in the intestinal wall, it is usually a sign of bowel wall infarctionand a surgical emergency; therefore, an adequate differentiation of benign and urgent conditions ofpneumatosis intestinalis is necessary to prevent misdiagnosis and inadequate therapies.CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 79-year-old male with past medical history of Alzheimer’s,cholecystectomy, and umbilical hernia. PCI was identified, and conservative therapy was started. Sincethe patient’s pain persisted, a complication was suspected, and surgery was decided. After successfultreatment, the patient completely recovered.CONCLUSION: There are many benign and life-threatening causes of pneumatosis intestinalis, the imagingappearance of both may look very similar. Therefore, clinical history, physical examination, and laboratorytest results are the best indicators of whether it is due to a benign or life threatening cause. PCI must bemanaged with a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, radiologists, and surgeons to achieve better resultsfor our patients.