Abstract
A 72-year-old male was referred to our hospital from another institution due to abdominal distention. Physical examination revealed severe fullness and tenderness of the lower abdomen. Abdominal X-ray and computed tomography demonstrated massive free air in the peritoneal cavity and pneumatosis intestinalis in the intestinal wall. Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) was judged to be the most probable diagnosis, and laparoscopic exploration was performed to rule out perforated peritonitis. The laparoscopy demonstrated extensive pneumatosis around the small intestine, but there were no findings of intestinal perforation or necrosis. Therefore, the diagnosis of PCI was established, and the patient was followed conservatively. His clinical course was uneventful and he was discharged from the hospital on the 12th hospital day. Laparoscopic exploration in the current case was effective for making a diagnosis of PCI.
