Pneumatosis intestinalis
Pneumatosis Intestinalis
Pneumatosis intestinalis (pronounced: new-muh-toe-sis in-tes-tin-al-is) is a medical condition characterized by the presence of gas cysts within the wall of the intestine.
Etymology
The term "Pneumatosis" is derived from the Greek word "pneuma" which means "air", and "osis" which means "condition". "Intestinalis" is derived from the Latin word "intestinum" which means "intestine".
Definition
Pneumatosis intestinalis is a radiographic finding characterized by the presence of gas-filled cysts within the submucosa or serosa of the intestinal wall. These cysts can be found in any part of the gastrointestinal tract, but are most commonly found in the colon and small intestine.
Symptoms
The symptoms of pneumatosis intestinalis can vary greatly depending on the underlying cause and the severity of the condition. They may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, and in severe cases, signs of intestinal obstruction or perforation such as severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and shock.
Causes
Pneumatosis intestinalis can be caused by a variety of conditions, including gastrointestinal diseases, pulmonary diseases, and immunodeficiency. It can also occur as a side effect of certain medications, such as corticosteroids and chemotherapy drugs.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of pneumatosis intestinalis is typically made through imaging studies, such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The gas-filled cysts can be seen as areas of low density on CT scans or as bright spots on MRI.
Treatment
The treatment of pneumatosis intestinalis depends on the underlying cause. In some cases, no treatment is necessary and the condition will resolve on its own. In other cases, treatment of the underlying condition, such as antibiotics for an infection, may be necessary. In severe cases, surgery may be required to remove the affected portion of the intestine.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pneumatosis intestinalis
- Wikipedia's article - Pneumatosis intestinalis
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski