Pneumatosis intestinalis in ulcerative colitis.
BACKGROUND
UC patients are considered to be at risk for pneumatosis intestinalis (PI).


METHODS
A 50-year-old man who had been treated with prednisolone for left-sided ulcerative colitis (UC) underwent follow-up colonoscopy. In addition to active colitis in the left colon, some cystic lesions were found in the unaffected ascending colon. Endoscopic ultrasonography and computed tomography confirmed the presence of intramural air, consistent with PI. Since corticosteroid use might contribute to the development of PI, the patient was successfully treated with leukocytapheresis. At the last follow-up colonoscopy the UC was still in remission and the pneumatic cysts were resolving.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important to determine the clinical significance of PI in each patient to ensure appropriate therapy.
Matsumoto
Ayako
A
Department of Internal Medicine, National Nagasaki Medical Center, Omura, Japan.
Isomoto
Hajime
H
Shikuwa
Saburo
S
Okamoto
Kenta
K
Yamaguchi
Naoyuki
N
Ohnita
Ken
K
Mizuta
Yohei
Y
Fujii
Masahiro
M
Kohno
Shigeru
S
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007937:Leukapheresis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011006:Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011239:Prednisolone