A Case of Recurrent Pneumoperitoneum and Pneumatosis Intestinalis After Bilateral Lung Transplant

Exp Clin Transplant. 2019 Feb;17(1):124-127. doi: 10.6002/ect.2016.0249. Epub 2017 Jun 5.

Abstract

We report a case of a 60-year-old male patient with recurrent episodes of free gas in the peritoneal and the retroperitoneal cavities as well as pneumatosis intestinalis 3 months after bilateral lung transplant. Interestingly, despite staged laparotomy within the scope of the first episode, no cause for free gas could be found. In a second episode of symptomatically pneumatosis, a conservative treatment with metro_nidazole was performed successfully. Despite several case reports on patients with pneumatosis intestinalis after lung transplant, an effective treatment strategy has not yet been proposed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Conservative Treatment / methods
  • Humans
  • Lung Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Metronidazole / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis / diagnostic imaging
  • Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis / drug therapy
  • Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis / etiology*
  • Pneumoperitoneum / diagnostic imaging
  • Pneumoperitoneum / etiology*
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / surgery*
  • Recurrence
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Metronidazole