[Pneumatosis intestinalis. Report of 3 cases].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical, radiological, morphological, and immunohistochemical characteristics of three cases of pneumatosis intestinalis.


METHODS
From 1982 to 1999, cases diagnosed as pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis were reviewed. The laboratory results, X-ray findings, clinical course, treatment and evolution were obtained from the clinical charts. Slides and macroscopic photos were obtained from the surgical pathology files. New slides were obtained from the paraffin blocks for immunohistochemical detection of endothelial cells (CD 31) and macrophagic cells (CD 68).


RESULTS
We found three patients with pneumatosis intestinalis associated to a history of abdominal surgeries from 936 enteral resections (0.3%). These three patients showed clinical features of intestinal obstruction. Morphological and immunohistochemical analysis showed pseudocysts without an epithelial and endothelial lining. Some spaces were lined by multinucleated giant cells positive for CD 68 and endothelial cells that were CD 31 positive.


CONCLUSIONS
Antecedent of obstruction and abdominal surgeries were the constant association with pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis. Most lesions were pseudocysts without epithelial or endothelial lining.
Chavarri-Guerra
Y
Y
Departamento de Patología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga No. 15, Colonia Tlalpan C.P. 14000, México, D.F.
José Plata
J
J
Cabrera-Aleksandrova
T
T
Gamboa-Domínguez
A
A
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000855:Anorexia / Q000209:etiology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers; D004727:Endothelium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005414:Flatulence / Q000209:etiology; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D008264:Macrophages / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis; D011006:Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D015415:Biomarkers; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule