title: Conservative management of pneumatosis intestinalis and massive pneumoperitoneum in the acute abdomen: a case report.
abstract: We present a case of massive pneumoperitoneum in association with pneumatosis intestinalis that was successfully managed without surgery despite a clinical picture of an acute abdomen and biochemical evidence of inflammation and systemic upset. Recognition of non-surgical pneumoperitoneum is important to avoid unnecessary laparotomy, and clinical examination for the presence of peritonitis is the most important determinant of the need for emergency surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, North Middlesex University Hospital, London, UK. simon_brill@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Simon E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Brill
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Skipworth
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Stoker
mesh_terms: D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011006:Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D011027:Pneumoperitoneum / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed