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Pneumatosis Intestinalis Induced by Anticancer Treatment: A Systematic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14071666. [PMID: 35406436 PMCID: PMC8996919 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Anticancer treatments commonly cause adverse events (AE). Among others, pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is reported to be infrequent, though it can lead to severe consequences. The aim of our systematic review was to investigate the concurrency of PI and oncological therapy exposure; moreover, we defined the characteristics of patients and the primarily involved tumor types. We analyzed 88 different episodes of PI. The median time of onset was 6 weeks and oncological patients with respiratory system cancers and those treated with targeted therapies appeared be at higher risk. Symptoms were frequently mild to absent; nevertheless, life-threatening complications were reported. Therefore, this AE, although uncommon, should be considered in the case of specific symptoms. Potential pharmacological mechanisms of anticancer drugs in inducing PI are also discussed. Abstract Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is a rare condition due to the presence of gas within the bowel wall; it is mainly caused by endoscopic procedures, infections and other gastrointestinal diseases. Oncological therapies have been reported to be a cause of PI as well, but their role is not clearly defined. This systematic review investigates the concurrency of PI and antitumor therapy in cancer patients, considering both solid tumors and onco-hematological ones. We performed a literature review of PubMed, Embase and the Web of Science up to September 2021 according to the PRISMA guidelines. A total of 62 papers reporting 88 different episodes were included. PI was mainly reported with targeted therapies (sunitinib and bevacizumab above all) within the first 12 weeks of treatment. This adverse event mostly occurred in the metastatic setting, but in 10 cases, it also occurred also in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant setting. PI was mostly localized in the large intestine, being fatal in 11 cases, while in the remaining cases, symptoms were usually mild, or even absent. A significant risk of PI reoccurrence after drug reintroduction was also reported (6/18 patients), with no fatal outcomes. Potential pharmacological mechanisms underlying PI pathogenesis are also discussed. In conclusion, although uncommonly, PI can occur during oncological therapies and may lead to life-threatening complications; therefore, consideration of its occurrence among other adverse events is warranted in the presence of clinical suspicion.
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Abstract
Pneumatosis intestinalis is the presence of gas in the bowel wall and is divided into two categories: life-threatening pneumatosis intestinalis and benign pneumatosis intestinalis. Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is a rare condition characterized by gas-filled cysts in submucosa and subserosa. The pathogenesis is unclear, although some causes have been theorized. The presenting clinical findings may be very heterogeneous. Intestinal pneumatosis may lead to various complications. Distinguishing between pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis and life-threatening pneumatosis intestinalis may be challenging, although computed tomography scan allows the detection of additional findings that may suggest an underlying, potentially worrisome cause of pneumatosis intestinalis. To correctly manage the patients affected with this disease is important to differentiate the two types of pneumatosis. The patients with pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis are usually treated conservatively; the surgical treatment is reserved for complications. We described a case of a patient with pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis and gastric perforation. The medical history of the patient revealed a breast cancer treated with mastectomy and chemotherapy; the patient did not report a history of gastrointestinal disease. The abdomen CT showed abscess formation at the level of the antro-pylorus, linear pneumatosis in the gastric wall, and free abdominal air. Multiple small air bubbles was observed in intestinal wall. The intestinal wall was not thickened with normal contrast mucosal enhancement. CT examination showed neither mesenteric stranding nor portal venous gas embolism. The findings of the surgery were gastric perforated peptic ulcer and benign pneumatosis intestinalis.
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Tirumanisetty P, Sotelo JW, Disalle M, Sharma M. Pneumatosis intestinalis: cost paid for rheumatoid arthritis treatment. BMJ Case Rep 2019; 12:e229329. [PMID: 31366614 PMCID: PMC6678030 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2019-229329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
A 75-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis on rituximab presented with a 1-week history of constipation and abdominal distension. Subsequent workup showed presence of air in the bowel wall without perforation initially. Due to positive blood cultures, worsening leucocytosis and high suspicion for perforation, an exploratory laparotomy was performed revealing necrotic bowel, walled off perforation and abscess. Patient underwent right hemicolectomy with diversion loop ileostomy. Clinicians must recognise that monoclonal antibodies like rituximab can mask signs of inflammation and therefore should maintain a high index of suspicion for intestinal perforation when evaluating patients with minimal symptoms and pneumatosis intestinalis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jose William Sotelo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana - Xochimilco, Coyoacan, Mexico
| | - Michael Disalle
- Department of Internal Medicine, Unity Hospital, Greece, New York, USA
| | - Meenal Sharma
- Department of Pathology, Unity Hospital, Greece, New York, USA
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Di Pietropaolo M, Trinci M, Giangregorio C, Galluzzo M, Miele V. Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis: case report and review of literature. Clin J Gastroenterol 2019; 13:31-36. [PMID: 31161540 DOI: 10.1007/s12328-019-00999-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Pneumatosis intestinalis is the presence of gas in the bowel wall and is divided into two categories: life-threatening pneumatosis intestinalis and benign pneumatosis intestinalis. Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is a rare condition characterized by gas-filled cysts in submucosa and subserosa. The pathogenesis is unclear, although some causes have been theorized. The presenting clinical findings may be very heterogeneous. Intestinal pneumatosis may lead to various complications. Distinguishing between pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis and life-threatening pneumatosis intestinalis may be challenging, although computed tomography scan allows the detection of additional findings that may suggest an underlying, potentially worrisome cause of pneumatosis intestinalis. To correctly manage the patients affected with this disease is important to differentiate the two types of pneumatosis. The patients with pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis are usually treated conservatively; the surgical treatment is reserved for complications. We described a case of a patient with pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis and gastric perforation. The medical history of the patient revealed a breast cancer treated with mastectomy and chemotherapy; the patient did not report a history of gastrointestinal disease. The abdomen CT showed abscess formation at the level of the antro-pylorus, linear pneumatosis in the gastric wall, and free abdominal air. Multiple small air bubbles was observed in intestinal wall. The intestinal wall was not thickened with normal contrast mucosal enhancement. CT examination showed neither mesenteric stranding nor portal venous gas embolism. The findings of the surgery were gastric perforated peptic ulcer and benign pneumatosis intestinalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Di Pietropaolo
- Department of Emergency Radiology, S. Camillo Hospital, Circonvallazione Gianicolense 87, 00152, Rome, Italy.
| | - Margherita Trinci
- Department of Emergency Radiology, S. Camillo Hospital, Circonvallazione Gianicolense 87, 00152, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Giangregorio
- Department of Emergency Radiology, S. Camillo Hospital, Circonvallazione Gianicolense 87, 00152, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Galluzzo
- Department of Emergency Radiology, S. Camillo Hospital, Circonvallazione Gianicolense 87, 00152, Rome, Italy
| | - Vittorio Miele
- Department of Radiology, Careggi University Hospital, L. go Giovanni Alessandro Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy
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Wang YJ, Wang YM, Zheng YM, Jiang HQ, Zhang J. Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis: six case reports and a review of the literature. BMC Gastroenterol 2018; 18:100. [PMID: 29954324 PMCID: PMC6022295 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-018-0794-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is characterized by gas-filled cysts in the intestinal submucosa and subserosa. There are few reports of PCI occurring in duodenum and rectum. Here we demonstrated four different endoscopic manifestations of PCI and three cases with intestinal stricture all were successfully managed by medical conservative treatment. Case presentation There are 6 cases of PCI with varied causes encountered, in which the etiology, endoscopic features, treatment methods and prognosis of patients were studied. One case was idiopathic, while the other one case was caused by exposing to trichloroethylene (TCE), and the remaining four cases were secondary to diabetes, emphysema, therioma and diseases of immune system. Of the six patients, all complained of abdominal distention or diarrhea, three (50%) reported muco-bloody stools, two (33.3%) complained of abdominal pain. In four other patients, PCI occurred in the colon, especially the sigmoid colon, while in the other two patients, it occurred in duodenum and rectum. Endoscopic findings were divided into bubble-like pattern, grape or beaded circular forms, linear or cobblestone gas formation and irregular forms. After combination of medicine and endoscopic treatment, the symptoms of five patients were relieved, while one patient died of malignant tumors. Conclusion PCI endoscopic manifestations were varied, and radiology combined with endoscopy can avoid misdiagnosis. The primary bubble-like pattern can be cured by endoscopic resection, while removal of etiology combined with drug therapy can resolve majority of secondary cases, thereby avoiding the adverse risks of surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Juan Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
| | - Yu Ming Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yan Min Zheng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hui Qing Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
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Kouzu K, Tsujimoto H, Hiraki S, Takahata R, Yaguchi Y, Kumano I, Horiguchi H, Nomura S, Nagata K, Harada M, Nagata H, Sugihara T, Ishibashi Y, Itazaki Y, Tsuchiya S, Aosasa S, Hase K, Yamamoto J, Ueno H. A case of pneumatosis intestinalis during neoadjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil for esophageal cancer †. J Surg Case Rep 2017; 2017:rjx227. [PMID: 29181149 PMCID: PMC5697399 DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjx227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is a relatively rare disease. A 70-year-old man with stage II squamous cell carcinoma of the middle thoracic esophagus was administered cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil (CF) therapy as neoadjuvant chemotherapy. On Day 14 of the first course of CF therapy, he complained of acute abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) revealed PI of the entire colon and a small air bubble in the mesentery. A colonoscopy revealed that there was no finding suggestive of ischemia. Because there was no sign of peritoneal irritation, conservative treatment was selected. On Day 7 after PI diagnosis, CT indicated the disappearance of PI. The patient underwent a radical esophagectomy. Intraoperative laparoscopic findings showed the serosa of the colon to be intact. The patient was discharged without any complications. It is important to take into account that CF therapy may cause PI and that PI can be treated conservatively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keita Kouzu
- Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Japan
| | - Hironori Tsujimoto
- Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Japan
| | - Shuichi Hiraki
- Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Japan
| | - Risa Takahata
- Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Yaguchi
- Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Japan
| | - Isao Kumano
- Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Horiguchi
- Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Nomura
- Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Japan
| | - Ken Nagata
- Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Japan
| | - Manabu Harada
- Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Japan
| | - Hiromi Nagata
- Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Japan
| | - Takao Sugihara
- Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Japan
| | - Yusuke Ishibashi
- Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Japan
| | - Yujiro Itazaki
- Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Japan
| | - Satoshi Tsuchiya
- Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Japan
| | - Suefumi Aosasa
- Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Japan
| | - Kazuo Hase
- Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Japan
| | - Junji Yamamoto
- Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Japan
| | - Hideki Ueno
- Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513, Japan
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Abstract
Alteration in the host microbiome at skin and mucosal surfaces plays a role in the function of the immune system, and may predispose immunocompromised patients to infection. Because obligate anaerobes are the predominant type of bacteria present in humans at skin and mucosal surfaces, immunocompromised patients are at increased risk for serious invasive infection due to anaerobes. Laboratory approaches to the diagnosis of anaerobe infections that occur due to pyogenic, polymicrobial, or toxin-producing organisms are described. The clinical interpretation and limitations of anaerobe recovery from specimens, anaerobe-identification procedures, and antibiotic-susceptibility testing are outlined. Bacteriotherapy following analysis of disruption of the host microbiome has been effective for treatment of refractory or recurrent Clostridium difficile infection, and may become feasible for other conditions in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deirdre L Church
- Departments of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and Medicine, University of Calgary, and Division of Microbiology, Calgary Laboratory Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
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Sassi C, Pasquali M, Facchini G, Bazzocchi A, Battista G. Pneumatosis intestinalis in oncologic patients: when should the radiologist not be afraid? BJR Case Rep 2016; 3:20160017. [PMID: 30363314 PMCID: PMC6159274 DOI: 10.1259/bjrcr.20160017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is a term used to describe the presence of submucosal and subserosal gas in the gastrointestinal tract. It can occur as a primary disease or, more commonly, secondary to various other causes ranging from benign conditions to fulminant diseases. We present four cases of benign PI in patients being treated for various types of cancer. They had no abdominal symptoms, the physical examination was normal and PI was an isolated incidental CT finding in the absence of other signs of bowel wall distress. A conservative non-surgical approach was advocated and follow-up imaging documented the resolution of PI. The radiologist should recognize this condition in order to help the oncologist to interpret its clinical significance and avoid unnecessary surgical procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Sassi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), Division of Radiology, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Milena Pasquali
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), Division of Radiology, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Facchini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), Division of Radiology, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alberto Bazzocchi
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, 'Rizzoli' Orthopaedic Institute, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Battista
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), Division of Radiology, S.Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Treyaud MO, Duran R, Zins M, Knebel JF, Meuli RA, Schmidt S. Clinical significance of pneumatosis intestinalis - correlation of MDCT-findings with treatment and outcome. Eur Radiol 2016; 27:70-79. [PMID: 27106233 PMCID: PMC5127863 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-016-4348-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Revised: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Objectives To evaluate the clinical significance of pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) including the influence on treatment and outcome. Method and Materials Two radiologists jointly reviewed MDCT-examinations of 149 consecutive emergency patients (53 women, mean age 64, range 21-95) with PI of the stomach (n = 4), small (n = 68) and/or large bowel (n = 96). PI extension, distribution and possibly associated porto-mesenteric venous gas (PMVG) were correlated with other MDCT-findings, risk factors, clinical management, laboratory, histopathology, final diagnosis and outcome. Results The most frequent cause of PI was intestinal ischemia (n = 80,53.7 %), followed by infection (n = 18,12.1 %), obstructive (n = 12,8.1 %) and non-obstructive (n = 10,6.7 %) bowel dilatation, unknown aetiologies (n = 8,5.4 %), drugs (n = 8,5.4 %), inflammation (n = 7,4.7 %), and others (n = 6,4 %). Neither PI distribution nor extension significantly correlated with underlying ischemia. Overall mortality was 41.6 % (n = 62), mostly related to intestinal ischemia (p = 0.003). Associated PMVG significantly correlated with underlying ischemia (p = 0.009), as did the anatomical distribution of PMVG (p = 0.015). Decreased mural contrast-enhancement was the only other MDCT-feature significantly associated with ischemia (p p < 0.001). Elevated white blood count significantly correlated with ischemia (p = 0.03). Conclusion In emergency patients, ischemia remains the most common aetiology of PI, showing the highest mortality. PI with associated PMVG is an alerting sign. PI together with decreased mural contrast-enhancement indicates underlying ischemia. Key Points • In emergency patients, PI may be caused by various disorders. • Intestinal ischemia remains the most common cause of PI in acute situations. • PI associated with decreased mural contrast-enhancement indicates acute intestinal ischemia. • PI associated with PMVG should alert the radiologist to possible underlying ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc-Olivier Treyaud
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital, Rue du Bugnon 46, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Rafael Duran
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital, Rue du Bugnon 46, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marc Zins
- Department of Radiology, Fondation Hôpital St Joseph, 185 Rue Raymond Losserand, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Francois Knebel
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital, Rue du Bugnon 46, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Reto A Meuli
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital, Rue du Bugnon 46, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Schmidt
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital, Rue du Bugnon 46, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Itazaki Y, Tsujimoto H, Ito N, Horiguchi H, Nomura S, Kanematsu K, Hiraki S, Aosasa S, Yamamoto J, Hase K. Pneumatosis intestinalis with obstructing intussusception: A case report and literature review. World J Gastrointest Surg 2016; 8:173-178. [PMID: 26981192 PMCID: PMC4770172 DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.v8.i2.173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Revised: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) often represents a benign condition that should not be considered as an argument for surgery. We report a patient with PI and obstructing intussusception who underwent urgent colectomy and review the literatures regarding PI with intussusception. A 20-year-old man presented at our hospital with a 3-d intermittent lower abdominal pain history. He underwent steroid therapy for membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis for 4 years. Computed tomography revealed ascending colon intussusception with air within the wall. Intraoperative colonoscopy revealed numerous soft polypoid masses with normal overlying mucosa and right hemicolectomy was performed. Histological examination of colonic wall sections revealed large cysts in the submucosal layer. The pathological diagnosis was PI. Nine cases of intussusception associated with primary PI have been reported. Although primary PI often represents a benign condition that should not be considered as an argument for surgery, if the case involves intussusception and obstruction, emergent laparotomy should be considered.
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Two Cases of Pneumatosis Intestinalis during Cetuximab Therapy for Advanced Head and Neck Cancer. Case Rep Oncol Med 2015; 2015:214236. [PMID: 26294992 PMCID: PMC4532904 DOI: 10.1155/2015/214236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumatosis intestinalis is a rare but known potential complication of treatment with cetuximab. Here we present two cases of pneumatosis intestinalis occurring in patients who were receiving cetuximab as treatment for advanced head and neck cancer. In both cases, cetuximab was discontinued after discovery of the pneumatosis intestinalis.
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