The patterns of the radiolucencies are seen as linear, curvilinear, small bubbles, or collections of cysts. Cystic collections of gas localized to the wall of the colon are suggestive of primary pneumatosis intestinalis.

INTRODUCTION. Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) refers to the presence of gas within the wall of the small or large intestine. Intramural gas can also affect the stomach, but this condition is referred to as gastric pneumatosis [1].

Pneumatosis intestinalis is defined as the presence of gas within the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. Originally described on plain abdominal radiographs, it is an imaging sign rather than a specific diagnosis and it is associated with both benign and life-threatening clinical conditions.

Antibiotics have been investigated as a mainstay treatment for PI. One regimen, which has proven to have some success, is metronidazole 500 mg per os (PO) three times daily (TID) for up to 3 months. It is theorized that antibiotics reduce the amount of gas produced by bacteria and alleviate obstructive symptoms.

Pneumatosis is found secondary to mucosal disruption presumably due to over-distention from peptic ulcer, pyloric stenosis, annular pancreas, and even to more distal obstruction. Disruption can also be caused by ulceration, erosions, or trauma, including the trauma of child abuse.

Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) in children is associated with immunosuppression, mucosal disruption from trauma, obstructive pulmonary disease, congenital heart disease, and gastrointestinal infections. Our study is the first report of norovirus infection-associated PI.

Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) and pneumoperitoneum are commonly recognized as severe signs of gastrointestinal diseases that require emergency surgery.

Medical Definition of pneumatosis : the presence of air or gas in abnormal places in the body.

Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is a rare form of an air leak into the gastric and intestinal wall, and used as an imaging sign often in sick preterm infants to diagnose necrotising enterocolitis (NEC).

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious gastrointestinal problem that mostly affects premature babies. The condition inflames intestinal tissue, causing it to die. A hole (perforation) may form in your baby’s intestine. Bacteria can leak into the abdomen (belly) or bloodstream through the hole.

Pneumoperitoneum is defined as free air in the peritoneal cavity. It is most commonly caused by rupture of a hollow viscus such as gastric or duodenal ulcer perforation. Other common causes include feeding tube insertion, bowel anastomotic leak, barotrauma, and intra-abdominal surgery.

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is a collection of individual gas cysts in the submucosa and subserosa of the intestine that can increase in quantity and size if left untreated. The occurrence was first documented in 1730 by DuVernoi during cadaver dissection.

In these cases, the pneumatosis may result from intraluminal bacterial gas entering the bowel wall due to increased mucosal permeability caused by defects in bowel wall lymphoid tissue. Clinical and imaging findings are important in the differentiation of this transient pneumatosis from fulminant life-threatening causes in this subset of patients.

Pneumatosis, often linear or cystic in appearance, is seen with increased frequency in patients who are immunocompromised because of steroids, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or AIDS.

 The occurrence was first documented in 1730 by DuVernoi during cadaver dissection. It was first diagnosed radiographically in 1946 by Lerner and Gazin, but the clinical pathology and etiology were unknown. Since then, the incidence of pneumatosis intestinalis has increased due to advancements in radiology.