EDITOR'S QUIZ: GI SNAPSHOT
Answer
| The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below. |
From question on page 1123
The x ray (fig 1
) shows an abnormal collection of gas in the right side of the abdomen. Linear opacities suggest intramural gas.
[in a new window] Figure 1 Computerised tomography section showing intramural gas.
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Computerised tomography scan (fig 2) showed caecal intramural gas and localised perforation. At laparotomy, the small bowel looked normal but there was thickening of the pericaecal tissues. A right hemicolectomy was performed. Microscopic examination of the resected bowel showed irregular spaces within the submucosa and serosa consistent with pneumatosis coli, but no evidence of inflammatory bowel disease.
Pneumatosis coli is a rare condition characterised by gas within the wall of the large bowel. It can occur as a primary disorder but is more commonly the result of other pathologies (table 1). Primary pneumatosis coli usually affects the left colon. The pathophysiology is not understood but it has been suggested that either gas is forced
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