Computed Tomography of Pneumatosis Intestinalis

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Abstract
Cases (4) of pneumatosis intestinalis detected by computed tomography (CT) are described. Plain abdominal films obtained on the same day as CT failed to show pneumatosis in 3 of the 4 cases. The CT appearances characteristic of pneumatosis intestinalis are cystic, linear or curvilinear gas collections in the periphery of distended, partly fluid-filled loops of bowel. Two of the 4 cases had underlying bowel infarction. Evidence of pneumatosis should be carefully looked for in patients with acute abdominal pain referred for CT examination. CT may be a useful modality for the early diagnosis of bowel ischemia when plain abdominal films are noncontributory.

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