Successful Conservative Treatment of Pneumatosis Intestinalis and Portomesenteric Venous Gas in A Patient With Septic Shock

Abstract

Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) and portomesenteric venous gas (PMVG) are alarming radiological findings that signify bowel ischemia. The management of PI and PMVG remain a challenging task because clinicians must balance the potential morbidity associated with unnecessary surgery with inevitable mortality if the necrotic bowel is not resected. The combination of PI, portal venous gas, and acidosis typically indicates bowel ischemia and, inevitably, necrosis. We report a patient with PI and PMVG caused by septic shock who completely recovered after conservative treatment.

Keywords

• bowel ischemia
• computed tomography
• pneumatosis intestinalis
• portal venous gas
• portomesenteric venous gas