Pneumatosis intestinalis associated with enteral tube feeding.

Marcel Zorgdrager*, Robert Pol

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Book/ReportReportAcademicpeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)
70 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

A 49-year-old man presented with a Hinchey II perforated diverticulitis and underwent laparoscopic peritoneal lavage. During the postoperative course the patient received enteral tube feeding which was followed by a bowel obstruction accompanied with pneumatosis intestinalis (PI). Explorative laparotomy showed an omental band adhesion without signs of ischaemia. After a short period of total parenteral nutrition PI resolved almost completely and enteral tube feeding could be continued once again. In the weeks that followed the patient developed atypical bowel symptoms and recurrent PI which resolved each time the drip feeding was discontinued. Despite the mild clinical course, a CT scan showed massive PI on day 21 after the laparotomy. After excluding life-threatening conditions conservative management was instituted and the patient recovered completely after discontinuing the drip feeding. We present one of the few cases of subclinical PI associated with enteral tube feeding that could be managed conservatively.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct-2013

Publication series

NameBMJ Case Reports
PublisherLIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS
ISSN (Print)1757-790X

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