Benign persistent pneumoperitoneum in systemic sclerosis.
We describe a 50-year-old Chinese woman who had severe gastrointestinal manifestations from systemic sclerosis complicated by spontaneous pneumoperitoneum in the absence of either visceral perforation or pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis. This is a rare complication of systemic sclerosis; only four other cases have been reported. Recognition of this condition is important so as to avoid unnecessary surgery.
Wang
C L
CL
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Wang
F
F
Wong
K C
KC
Jeyamalar
R
R
D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011027:Pneumoperitoneum / Q000209:etiology*; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology