Primary pneumatosis intestinalis

Last revised by Daniel J Bell on 25 Aug 2022

Primary pneumatosis intestinalis (PPI) is a benign idiopathic condition in which multiple gas-filled cystic lesions are seen in the gastrointestinal tract wall. The changes are usually seen initially on radiography or CT with CT being the more sensitive test.

Primary pneumatosis intestinalis is rare and was shown in one study to comprise 15% of cases of all intestinal pneumatoses 3

This condition is usually asymptomatic and presents as an incidental finding on medical imaging. 

Multiple gas-filled cysts are seen in the mucosa and submucosa of the small and large bowel.  

  • ischaemic bowel: gas in the ischaemic bowel wall has a linear or bubble-like pattern, in contrast to the PPI gas pattern, which is circular
  • causes of secondary pneumatosis intestinalis
    • post-instrumentation of the bowel e.g. endoscopy, surgery 
    • COPD, ventilated patients
    • drugs such as steroids, chemotherapy (e.g. bevacizumab)
  • pseudopneumatosis: intraluminal gas trapped between faeces and the bowel wall

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