Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis Treated by Oxygen Breathing

Abstract

Höflin, F. & van der Linden, W. Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis treated by oxygen breathing. Scand. J. Gastroent. 1974, 9, 427-430.

The histories are given of two patients with pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis, a disease characterized by gas-filled cysts in the wall of the intestine. Both patients had associated pulmonary disorders, which is a common feature in these cases. Gas analysis of the contents of the cysts showed them to contain a high percentage of hydrogen. Both patients were successfully treated by breathing high concentrations of oxygen during 5 days. This treatment, which has been described in only one patient before, resulted in the complete disappearance of all roentgenographic and sigmoidoscopic evidence of the disease. Simultaneously the clinical condition of the two patients improved considerably. No relapse has hitherto been observed in either patient.

Key-words::

• Allergy
• bronchial asthma
• long-term oxygen therapy
• pneumatosis intestinalis