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Monday Poster Session

Category: Colon

P2580 - Return of the Gas Pockets: A Rare Case of Recurrent Colonic Pneumatosis

Monday, October 27, 2025
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM MT
Location: Exhibit Hall
Chelsea Choi, BS1, Sai Vaishnavi. Pidathala, BS1, Shahab Aftahi, MD2, Ericka Charley, MD1, Aida Rezaie, MD1
1Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ; 2Dignity Health, Phoenix, AZ

Introduction: Pneumatosis coli, gas accumulation within the colon wall, is frequently associated with IBD, infectious etiologies, ischemia, autoimmune disorders and immunodeficiency disorders. However, recurrent colonic pneumatosis is uncommon, especially when compared to the small bowel, and is actually protective against recurrence. We present a case of a 57 years old female with recurrent pneumatosis intestinalis with an unclear cause.

Case Description/

Methods: A 57 y/o female with a history of multiple intra-abdominal presents with abdominal pain, non-bloody diarrhea and unintentional weight loss for three weeks. Her past surgical history was significant for three abdominal surgeries including lysis of adhesion, right hemicolectomy for diverticulitis, and hysterectomy, prior small bowel obstruction. Computed tomography (CT A/P) of the Abdomen and Pelvis with IV contrast two weeks prior revealed pneumatosis intestinalis, small pneumoperitoneum and a left perinephric abscess. Prior to arrival, she reported a recent colonoscopy which had revealed focally active colitis without chronicity. As she didn't show any signs of sepsis or intestinal ischemia, she was managed conservatively and received repeat CT A/P which revealed persistent pneumatosis coli, no anastomotic leak, and repeat colonoscopy was normal CT Angiography (CTA) that didn’t show any sign of arterial occlusion or ischemia. Abdominal duplex ultrasound showed patent hepatic vasculature without any thrombus. Stool pathogen panel panel was negative. Her immunodeficiency workup revealed low levels of immunoglobulins IgG and IgM, possibly suggestive of an immunodeficiency such as CVID. HIV testing was also negative. 

Discussion:

Recurrent colonic pneumatosis is rare, and when it does occur typically is in the context of chronic, non ischemic etiologies such as cystoides intestinalis. Pneumatosis is found secondary to mucosal disruption, however mucosal erosions that are from subclinical enteritis may allow for intraluminal gas in the bowel layers, especially in a patient with post surgical anatomy. Fulminant pneumatosis intestinalis is crucial to differentiate from transient pneumatosis, and should prompt investigation into the underlying etiology including CVID.


Figure: Persistent pneumatosis coli along the colonic anastomosis in the mid pelvis

Disclosures:
Chelsea Choi indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Sai Pidathala indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Shahab Aftahi indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Ericka Charley indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Aida Rezaie indicated no relevant financial relationships.

Chelsea Choi, BS1, Sai Vaishnavi. Pidathala, BS1, Shahab Aftahi, MD2, Ericka Charley, MD1, Aida Rezaie, MD1. P2580 - Return of the Gas Pockets: A Rare Case of Recurrent Colonic Pneumatosis, ACG 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts. Phoenix, AZ: American College of Gastroenterology.