Abstract
A 73-year-old male with chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction was admitted to our hospital due to severe abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) examination revealed multiple cystic pneumatosis in the small intestine. We suspected pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis ; however an emergency operation was performed because the patient developed severe abdominal pain. Laparotomy did not reveal necrosis of the small intestine. The patient was re-admitted for abdominal distension several days after discharge. CT examination revealed portal venous gas and pneumatosis in the circumference of intestinal wall but there was no sign of peritoneal irritation ; therefore, we decided to perform conservative therapy. The above-mentioned findings were not observed in CT scan taken 16 after hospitalization. In the current case of chromic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction with portal venous gas and pneumatosis, we were unable to decide whether to treat conservatively.
