Cecal pneumatosis intestinalis in necrotic colorectal carcinoma

Pneumatosis Intestinalis (PI) while infrequent, can be fatal in some cases. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan is typically performed to aid in the diagnosis and in the rare cases that are lethal, an emergent exploratory laparotomy is necessary. We present a case of a 57-year-old male who wa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Visual journal of emergency medicine 2022-04, Vol.27, p.101300, Article 101300
Main Authors: Yu, Su-Yuan, Connell, Christopher R., Stirparo, Joseph J., III, Victor Longo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Colorectal carcinoma
Computed tomography
Pneumatosis intestinalis
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Summary:Pneumatosis Intestinalis (PI) while infrequent, can be fatal in some cases. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan is typically performed to aid in the diagnosis and in the rare cases that are lethal, an emergent exploratory laparotomy is necessary. We present a case of a 57-year-old male who was seen at the emergency department (ED) complaining of severe abdominal pain, fever, and shortness of breath with a past medical history significant for metastatic colon cancer. Through lab work and a CT scan, the patient was diagnosed with PI involving the ascending colon, cecum, and terminal ileum. A laparotomy as well as a resection of the terminal ileum and cecum was performed. The patient expired from septic shock the following day. This case demonstrates the need to distinguish between benign and lethal PI in a timely manner.
ISSN:2405-4690
2405-4690
DOI:10.1016/j.visj.2022.101300