Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis help

Posted by fliggette @fliggette, Jul 31 5:24pm

Hi all, I'm hoping to get a little guidance if anyone knows. I was diagnosed with pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis after an ER trip chest CT alerted to free air in my bowels so they then did abdominal CT and transfered me for surgery because the ER docs thought it was a bowel perforation. I was then seen by the colorectal surgeon who diagnosed me and had me schedule for a colonoscopy. I had another abdominal CT scan done 6 days after the 1st and was normal. I had my colonoscopy, was normal also. I saw the GI doctor the GI surgeon referred me to today and he said I don't have it because the 2nd CT and colonoscopy....? Do the "cysts' come and go, like "flare ups"? I feel I might need a second opinion. I want to be sure I'm being smart about my health. Thank you for any help.

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jlstjohn | @jlstjohn | Aug 4 6:41am

I was given this diagnosis this past spring, also, after an initial l but with pnehmatosis jntestinalis. We "think" mine was triggered by an infectious cause. I had a viral, gastroenteritis that aggravated my gallbladder enough that I had it removed laproscopically. It is after that I started having issues with pneumatosis. I was put on a combination of Cipro and Flagyl for 2 weeks with a recommendation to follow a liquid/gentle diet. Subsequent CT scan showed it had resolved. I have done a lot of reading online about pneumatosis cystoides. It does seem like it can resolve on its own, but of course everyone is different. My GI doctor believes I am more susceptible to it now that I have had it twice. Most people have no symptoms, but I definitely had lower abdominal pain (sharp) where the air was. If I ever get it again I am going to push to try hyperbaric oxygen therapy as the literature supports its efficacy and it is promoted as very safe. Insurance coverage is the big roadblock with it, however.