Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis and high breath H2 excretion: insights into the role of H2 in this condition

Dynamics and metabolic effects of intestinal gases in healthy humans

Many living beings use exogenous and/or endogenous gases to attain evolutionary benefits. We make a comprehensive assessment of one of the major gaseous reservoirs in the human body, i.e., the bowel, providing extensive data that may serve as reference for future studies. We assess the intestinal gases in healthy humans, including their volume, composition, source and local distribution in proximal as well as distal gut. We analyse each one of the most abundant intestinal gases including nitrogen, oxygen, nitric oxide, carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and cyanide. For every gas, we describe diffusive patterns, active trans-barrier transport dynamics, chemical properties, intra-/extra-intestinal metabolic effects mediated by intracellular, extracellular, paracrine and distant actions. Further, we highlight the local and systemic roles of gasotransmitters, i.e., signalling gaseous molecules that can freely diffuse through the intestinal cellular membranes. Yet, we provide testable hypotheses concerning the still unknown effects of some intestinal gases on the myenteric and submucosal neurons.

The Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis-A Scoping Review

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is characterized by gas-filled cysts within gastrointestinal tract wall from esophagus to rectum, with preferential involvement of large and small intestine. PCI is rare with an estimated incidence of 0.03 to 0-2% in general population. PCI can be distinguished into idiopathic (15%) or secondary (85%) and the clinical picture ranges from completely asymptomatic to life-threatening intraabdominal complications. Although etiology of PCI appears to be multifactorial, the exact pathophysiology is poorly understood and two main theories have been proposed (mechanical and bacterial). Over the last decades, an enormous therapeutic armamentarium was considered in PCI's management, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Treatment comprises conservative treatment in mild cases to surgery in highly symptomatic and complicated PCI. In the late 70s, HBOT started to be used in selected cases of PCI not responding to conservative measures. Since then, several case reports, case series, and reviews have been published in the literature with variable outcomes. The overall response rate and complete response were 92.1% (n = 82/89) and 65.2% (n = 58/89), respectively, with a median follow-up of 7 months. Furthermore, HBOT is extremely safe, with few reported complications in the literature when used for PCI. Nevertheless, a randomized, controlled, and double-blind clinical trial is unlikely to occur given the rarity of PCI, logistical issues of HBOT, and methodological considerations related to adequate blinding with a sham-controlled group. HBOT in combination with personalized diet and antibiotics may be beneficial for moderate to severe PCI in patients with no indication for emergency exploratory laparotomy. The purpose of this article is to synthesize the existing data, analyse results of previous studies, identify gaps in knowledge, and discuss PCI' management, including the proposal of an algorithm, with a special focus on HBOT.

Asymptomatic pneumoperitoneum in pneumatosis coli: A misleading operative indication

INTRODUCTION

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is a rare clinical pathology characterized by sub-mucosal and/or sub-serous cysts of free gas, forming cystic lesions usually ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 cm in size within the gastrointestinal tract. About 3% of patients with PCI develop complications such as pneumoperitoneum, intestinal volvulus, obstruction, or hemorrhage, these cases need immediate surgical intervention. Cyst rupture can produce peritoneal irritation and pneumoperitoneum.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 65-years-old woman was admitted to the Emergency Department for epileptiform convulsions. Her medical hystory included epilepsy, diabetes, lichenoid dermatitis, hypothyroidism, severe cognitive impairment. Abdominal CT scan revealed a dilated large intestine with parietal pneumatosis from the appendix to the transverse colon associated to extensive pneumoperitoneum. The patient underwent emergency laparotomy which revealed the presence of gas within the wall of right and transverse colon and distension of great omentum. No resection was needed as normal blood supply to the bowel present.

DISCUSSION

Pneumatosis coli can be both asymptomatic or life-threatening condition associated to bowel infarction; this situation can mimic a bowel perforation causing pneumoperitoneum - that sometimes is a non-surgical pneumoperitoneum - and it could be a misleading indication to surgical exploration especially in the case of uncertain origin of a septic shock.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a case of pneuomoperitoneum due to PCI. Surgical intervention was required for patient's conditions and unclear origin of the sepsis.

Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis - A Review

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is a rare disease characterized by presence of multilocular cysts in the gastrointestinal wall. Idiopatic and secondary forms of the disease can be distinguished. There are presented several theories explaining pneumatogenesis in this article. The specific and non-specific symptoms are described. Attention is drawn to the pneumoperitoneum without signs of peritoneal irritation, what is a typical complication of this disease. The suspition of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis may be based on plain abdominal X-ray, and is usually confirmed by computer tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. The therapy can be conservative or surgical. In conclusion, although pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is a rare disease, it may represent a problem in differential diagnosis of abdominal pain.

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis: lung window setting on CT

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is a rare and often presents nonspecific symptoms. In this case, CT imaging revealed air collection within the wall of the ileum, which was more clearly defined using the lung window setting. When we consider pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis, we should evaluate CT using the lung window setting.

Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis: A Case Report and Review of 39 Japanese Cases

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is a rare gastrointestinal complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc) characterized by intramural accumulation of gas within thin-walled cysts. We report the case of an 82-year-old female patient with pneumoperitoneum due to PCI associated with SSc and review the features of the 39 Japanese cases. The median patient age was 57 years (range 24-83 years) and the male/female ratio was 1 : 12. In the recent decade, 14 out of 15 cases (93.3%) evaluated with CT scans were diagnosed with PCI. The results suggest that CT scan may be a useful diagnostic tool for detecting PCI. PCI in patients with SSc is usually benign and requires only conservative therapy. However, two patients (5.1%) with signs of peritoneal irritation required surgery. When peritoneal irritation secondary to additional pathology is observed, surgical treatment may be warranted; a precise diagnosis for this condition is therefore essential.

Pneumatosis intestinalis in patients with severe thermal injury

Severe thermal injury is associated with pronounced changes in intestinal physiology, which may cause ischemia, infarction, and pneumatosis intestinalis (PI). PI is a pathologic condition defined as infiltration of gas into the gastrointestinal tract wall. Historically, PI prompted urgent surgery, yet some surgeons "watch and wait" to avoid the risks of a negative laparotomy. The authors reviewed experience with PI at a single burn center. They retrospectively identified burn center intensive care unit patients with radiographic or pathologic evidence of PI. Data included demographics, injury severity score, TBSA burned, operative findings, length of stay, and mortality. From January 2003 through August 2009, 1129 patients were admitted to the authors' burn center intensive care unit. Fifteen had PI. Twelve had radiographic evidence of PI, and 10 had PI associated with intestinal infarction. Nonsurvivors had lower base deficits (P = .02), higher lactate levels (P = .05), and required vasopressor support (P = .02) within 24 hours of developing PI. Massive intestinal infarction (P = .004) and open abdomens (P = .004) were more common among nonsurvivors. PI can be identified by radiologic or pathologic findings. The authors' experience with PI among patients with burn injury revealed a high mortality rate. Because of the association of bowel ischemia with PI, exploratory laparotomy should be strongly considered in patients with burn injury with radiographic evidence of PI.

Pneumatosis Coli Associated with Pseudomembranous Colitis in a Patient following Colonic Surgery

Pneumatosis intestinalis is a rare disorder characterized by gas-filled cysts within the subserosal and/or submucosal regions of the intestinal wall. The source of this gas and its translocation across the mucosa is incompletely understood. Most (85%) cases are associated with medical conditions, ranging from psychiatric through respiratory disorders to gastrointestinal-related diseases; the remaining 15% lack any recognizable cause or association. In this case report, pneumatosis coli (affecting the colon) occurred in a patient following abdominal surgery and was associated with pseudomembranous colitis, which was Clostridium difficile toxin negative-presumably a false negative. Supportive care and appropriate antibacterial agents sufficed to alleviate symptoms and resolve the pneumatosis. Recognizing this uncommon but important association can avoid high financial and personal costs from unnecessary testing and invasive surgical explorations. Consideration should be given to pseudomembranous colitis as the basis for pneumatosis coli developing in patients who have received antibiotics, once gut ischemia has been ruled out.

Pneumatosis intestinalis in a child with nephrotic syndrome and norovirus gastroenteritis

We report a child with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome whose condition was complicated by extensive pneumatosis intestinalis during a nephrotic relapse. The concomitant use of steroid and immunosuppressive agents and a preceding norovirus gastroenteritis infection were identified as risk factors.

Pneumatosis coli in a dog

A 17-year-old, castrated male Maltese was presented with chronic polyphagia and a 2-week history of tenesmus, diarrhea, hematochezia, weight loss, and ribbon-like feces. Pneumatosis coli was diagnosed by abdominal radiography. Concurrent hyperadrenocorticism was suspected. The clinical signs of colorectal disease resolved within 2 days of initiating a lowresidue diet and oral metronidazole. Pneumatosis coli should be considered as a differential diagnosis for colorectal disease in dogs.

Pneumatosis Intestinalis in a Burn Patient: Case Report and Literature Review

Pneumatosis Intestinalis (PI) is a rare condition characterized by gas in the intestinal wall. PI is not a disease in itself but a sign of an underlying problem. It is associated with a wide variety of underlying disorders, ranging from benign to life-threatening. When found, it should prompt a search for the underlying cause. Diagnostic efforts should be aimed at ruling out catastrophic problems such as intestinal ischemia and necrosis. The presence of peritonitis, rectal bleeding, portomesenteric venous gas, and lactic acidosis are important factors to determine the best course of action. Burn patients have multiple risk factors for developing this condition. Despite this, PI is not well-described in the burn literature. We present here a case report, a brief review of the literature, and clinical considerations.

Gas within the wall of the stomach due to emphysematous gastritis: case report and review

Emphysematous gastritis is a rare variant of phlegmonous gastritis due to invasion of the stomach wall by gas-forming bacteria. We present a case of emphysematous gastritis in a 66-year-old woman admitted with septicaemia, and a review of gas in the wall of the stomach is given with focus on emphysematous gastritis.

[Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis, treated with laparoscopic colectomy]

The authors report a case of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis which, after failure of medical treatment, was treated by laparoscopic partial colectomy. Surgical treatment is a last resort and the laparoscopically-assisted approach seems to be a good indication in colectomy for pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis.

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis: a rare cause of nonsurgical pneumoperitoneum in an infant

The authors describe a 3-year-old boy with pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) and associated duodenal stenosis who came to them with abdominal pain, significant abdominal distension, large gastric residue, and pneumoperitoneum. PCI is a rare condition in children characterized by the presence of multiple gas-filled cysts within the wall of some part of gastrointestinal tract that may break and cause pneumoperitoneum without an intestinal perforation. Even if in most cases the standard treatment is surgical, to keep in mind this rare condition could be useful to adopt a most rational treatment approach and avoid unnecessary operation in case of "benign" pneumoperitoneum.

A new approach to Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis by target air-enema CT

A 48-yr-old man was admitted to our hospital with abdominal discomfort and distension. A barium enema showed multiple radiolucent filling defects in the wall of the ascending colon. Colonic endoscopy revealed numerous round, polypoid masses covered with normal mucosa. These findings suggested Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis. Target air-enema computed tomography was performed to make a final diagnosis, and demonstrated several gas collections covered with soft tissue in the wall of the ascending colon. This is the first reported case of Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis in which multiple gas-filled cysts could be recognized by target air-enema computed tomography.