Pneumatosis coli represents small pockets of gas in the submucosal/subserosal layers of the gut. There are four main mechanisms: 1. Bowel...
Pneumatosis coli represents small pockets of gas in the submucosal/subserosal layers of the gut.
There are four main mechanisms:
1. Bowel necrosis2. Mucosal disruption
3. Increased mucosal permeability
4. Pulmonary disease (may also transgress to the mesenteric and portal veins)
The cause may be:
- Ischaemic
- Idiopathic
- Infectious (necrotising enterocolitis, pseudomembranous colitis)
- Inflammatory (Crohn disease)
- Iatrogenic (endoscopy, surgery, steroids)
- Traumatic
- Respiratory (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma)
- For Radiology Cases, Discussion join: Radiology Made Easy on Facebook
- Subscribe to our youtube channel for FRCR radiology case discussion
- Join our Telegram group: Radiology Made Easy
