Pneumatosis of the intestine

Pneumosis of the intestine is a disease in which the walls of the thick or small intestine form cystlike cavities filled with air. Pneumatosis of the intestine can later spread to the parietal area of the peritoneum, mesentery, lymph nodes. It is often found in infants who have suffered an intestinal infectious disease.
As a rule, intestinal pneumatosis is detected during surgery or dissection,
Before this, most often diagnose intestinal obstruction. Pathogenesis and
The etiology of the disease has not been clarified until now. According to one theory, gases,
Formed in cavities, are a product of the vital activity of E. coli.

According to another theory, gas is formed with the help of microorganisms, directly in
Lymphatic vessels, stretching them. The same process occurs as a result of
Splitting of the chylus under the action of enzymes. There is also a point of view that
Pneumatosis of the intestine arises from the ingress of gas into the lymph nodes
From the lumen of the intestine or stomach, provided that the mucous membranes are damaged.
A negative factor in these conditions is increased pressure in the digestive tract.
Pneumatosis of the intestine can be a consequence of violations of the formation of lymph vessels in the walls of the intestine. Severe intestinal pneumatosis can be limited or spread to the entire intestinal area. The gas bubbles formed in the walls are reminiscent of bunches of grapes or soap foam. Much less often the vials are located singly.

During the research it turns out that in the interstitial tissue there are eosinophils, plasma cells and lymphocytes. Often in the immediate vicinity of the accumulation of vesicles appear hemorrhages, sores, erosion and suppuration. In rare cases, there is formation in the walls of the intestine of gas cysts, which can reach the size of a walnut. In this case, the cyst wall consists of a hyalineized connective tissue, sometimes with thin septa. In the thickness of the connective tissues, there are infiltrates with plasmatic eosinophilic, giant and lymphoid cells. The gas mixture in the bubbles consists of a mixture of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. Most gas cysts are observed in the elderly and young children with ulceration of the intestine, ulcerative nonspecific colitis, adhesions, appendicitis, stenosis and diverticulosis. In children, the disease occurs in extremely severe form with diarrhea and vomiting. Adult patients experience cramping pains and bloating, a general severe condition, vomiting, and a thin, stiff stool. When X-ray examination, multiple filling defects that cause intestinal pneumatosis are observed. The treatment is aimed at suppressing the intestinal infection. Complications of the disease may be partial or complete obstruction of the intestine, intussusception, curvature, the development of the adhesion process with the overgrowth of the cysts, perforation of the intestinal walls. Treatment of the underlying disease is symptomatic, with complications shown surgical surgical intervention. In some cases, after resection of the part of the intestine, there may be the occurrence of cysts in adjacent areas. As a result of organic lesions, necrosis of the intestine may occur. In patients suffering from a proctitis, there may be painful spasms of the sphincter, a defecation disorder.

The detection of the disease presents significant difficulties. Until now, the subdivision of invaginations into chronic and acute has been accepted, and some surgeons also distinguish recurrent invagination. Invaginations are particularly acute in infancy and childhood. In the case when there is no spontaneous spreading, and in the absence of timely therapy, a fatal outcome occurs.