title: Diagnostic laparoscopy for pneumatosis intestinalis: to do or not to do?
abstract: Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is a rare clinical condition, which is commonly associated with mesenteric vascular ischemia, bowel obstruction, and chemotherapy. Although the pathophysiology of PI remains unclear, 2 theories, one mechanical and the other bacterial, have been proposed. Nonoperative medical treatment and observation should be considered in mild cases, but occasionally, the situation requires emergency surgical intervention. In cases of suspectful complicated PI, the clinician should not avoid performing diagnostic laparoscopy to rule out bowel ischemia and perforation.
authors.affiliation: İzmir University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, Karşiyaka, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karabuga
authors.affiliation: İzmir University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, Karşiyaka, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yoldas
authors.affiliation: İzmir University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, Karşiyaka, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ozsan
authors.affiliation: İzmir University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Karşiyaka, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: U M
authors.initials: UM
authors.lastname: Yıldırım
authors.affiliation: İzmir University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, Karşiyaka, Izmir, Turkey. Electronic address: unalaydinmd@gmail.com.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Aydin
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011006:Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery