title: Asymptomatic pneumatosis intestinalis and free abdominal air in a patient with AIDS.
abstract: Detection of free abdominal air requires in most cases immediate surgical intervention. However, there may be situations, where invasive procedures are not indicated. We present a case of asymptomatic pneumatosis intestinalis and free abdominal air in a patient with Aids. Pneumatosis intestinalis is a rare entity with accumulation of subserosal or submucosal gas occurring in the small or large bowel. It has been reported in a variety of gastrointestinal disorders, in Aids, after transplantation, with steroid use, and in association with leukemia, lymphoma, vasculitis, collagen vascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 9, D-50924 Köln, Germany. petra.hegener@uni-koeln.de
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hegener
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Horst
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Franzen
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Diehl
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Salzberger
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fätkenheuer
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D005740:Gases; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung; D008297:Male; D011006:Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology*; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D005740:Gases