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Pneumatosis intestinalis in association with sigmoid volvulus: Value of lung windows during abdominal computed tomography

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Abstract

An 80-year-old man presented with progressive left-sided abdominal pain and distention. His abdominal plain radiograph revealed a focally dilated, redundant loop of sigmoid colon, having a mottled appearance. A computed tomographic (CT) scan with soft tissue settings showed no evidence of pneumatosis; however, with lung window settings [mean, —600 Hounsfield units (HU); width, 1000 HU], intramural pockets of air were seen in the bowel wall. The pneumatosis was presumed secondary to recurrent sigmoid volvulus. The utility of CT lung windows to evaluate the gastrointestinal tract in patients with acute abdominal conditions cannot be overemphasized.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 02114, Boston, Massachusetts

    Clayton Y. Yamada M.D., Richard Sacknoff M.D. & Robert A. Novelline M.D.

Authors
  1. Clayton Y. Yamada M.D.
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  2. Richard Sacknoff M.D.
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  3. Robert A. Novelline M.D.
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Yamada, C.Y., Sacknoff, R. & Novelline, R.A. Pneumatosis intestinalis in association with sigmoid volvulus: Value of lung windows during abdominal computed tomography. Emergency Radiology 3, 198–201 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01507741

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01507741

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