Pneumatosis intestinalis is the presence of gas in the mucous lining of the intestines, often indicating gastrointestinal disorders or pulmonary obstruction. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, and regular checkups are important. In newborns, it can be associated with necrotizing enterocolitis, which can be fatal if not treated immediately.
Pneumatosis intestinalis is a condition in which gas is present in the mucous lining of the small or large intestine. The condition itself is not considered a disease and many cases do not cause any symptoms or health problems. Pneumatosis intestinalis can, however, be indicative of a number of different gastrointestinal disorders or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Infants with this condition are also likely to suffer from necrotizing enterocolitis or intestinal tissue death. Doctors usually try to identify and treat the underlying cause of the condition to prevent serious health problems.
A person showing signs of the condition is likely to have an inflammatory gastrointestinal disorder or pulmonary obstruction. Bacterial infections, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis can lead to inflammation, irritation, and gas buildup. Also, blood flow to the intestines can be cut off in a condition called ischemia. A lack of oxygenated blood causes accumulations of hydrogen gas in the intestinal walls and eventually causes intestinal tissue necrosis. Patients with symptomatic pneumatosis intestinalis may experience diarrhea, chronic abdominal pain and bloating, constipation, and fatigue.
Treating the underlying cause, when it can be determined, is essential to prevent permanent and sometimes life-threatening complications. Many types of inflammatory bowel disease and lung blockages can be controlled with corticosteroids and antibiotics. Cases of intestinal ischemia often require surgery to remove damaged tissue and restore proper blood flow to the intestine. Regular checkups are usually important after treatment to ensure that the gas buildup dissipates and the underlying cause is kept under control.
This disorder may not be discovered until a patient is medically screened for a different problem. If a doctor notices gas building up in the intestinal walls, she may take additional imaging scans, take blood samples, and remove a piece of intestinal tissue for laboratory testing. In cases where the condition is idiopathic and causes no adverse symptoms, patients usually do not need to receive treatment. Benign pneumatosis intestinalis tends to go away over weeks to months.
Most cases of intestinalis in newborns are associated with intestinal tissue necrosis, in which the lining of the intestines dies and erodes away. Necrotizing entercolitis is more common in premature infants and can cause bloody diarrhea, distention, and vomiting. The disease can be fatal if treatment is not immediate. An emergency surgeon may try to relieve symptoms by removing dead tissue from the intestines and administering antibiotics. Gas and irritation are typically relieved when necrotizing entercolitis is treated effectively.
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