Pneumatosis coli: A case report

Pneumatosis intestinalis is usually benign condition which may affects any segment of gastrointestinal tract from stomach to rectum. It is also called pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI). It is best classified in to (A) a primary form and (B) a secondary form. Air cysts are found mostly in subserosa of large bowel. The aim of this study is to present 72-year–old heavy smoker man that refers to emergency department with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and decreased appetite for three days duration. With impression of peritonitis due to hallow viscus perforation, patient underwent laparotomy. Abdomen was completely clean without any puss or fluid. There were multiple gas-containing cysts over the antimesentric colonic wall of the transverse and sigmoid colon. We terminated the operation without any intervention. The patient became symptom free post operatively and discharged from hospital with good condition.