Pneumatosis Intestinalis

A 63-year-old man presented for a screening colonoscopy. During the colonoscopy, several submucosal polypoid lesions, 3 to 8 mm in diameter, were noted in the splenic flexure. A 63-year-old man presented for a screening colonoscopy. During the colonoscopy, several submucosal polypoid lesions, 3 to 8 mm in diameter, were noted in the splenic flexure. Since the lesions were easily indented with gentle pressure and had a bluish hue, pneumatosis intestinalis was suspected (Panel A). When the lesions were punctured, they became deflated, supporting the diagnosis (see video). Computed tomography revealed multiple air pockets in the intestinal wall at the splenic flexure (Panel B, arrow; Panel C, asterisk; and Panel D) and some free intraperitoneal air (Panel C, arrow). The results of histopathological inspection of an endoscopic-biopsy specimen . . .