pneumatosis

Pneumatosis intestinalis refers to gas cysts in the bowel wall.

The pathognomonic finding on plain films is pneumatosis intestinalis.

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is another reported side effect.

Pneumatosis intestinalis is a radiological sign which is highly suggestive for necrotizing enterocolitis.

In newborns, pneumatosis intestinalis is considered diagnostic for necrotizing enterocolitis, and the air is produced by bacteria in the bowel wall.

Rarer complications include pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis, or gas pockets in the bowel wall, wide mouthed diverticula in the colon and esophagus, and liver fibrosis.

Sidhu S, Flamm S, Chopra S. Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis: an incidental finding in a patient with AIDS and cryptosporidial diarrhea.

In the absence of either methanogenic bacteria or sulphate reducing bacteria in the colon, H 2 accumulates in excessive quantities and this may be an important factor in pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis.

Radiographic signs of NEC include dilated bowel loops, paucity of gas, a "fixed loop" (unaltered gas-filled loop of bowel), pneumatosis intestinalis, portal venous gas, and pneumoperitoneum (extraluminal or "free air" outside the bowel within the abdomen).