Recurrent Benign Pneumatosis Intestinalis in a Patient With Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

Özet

Connective tissue diseases can be associated with rare gastrointestinal complications such as pneumatosis intestinalis and pneumoperitoneum.In this article, we report a unique case of recurrent pneumatosis intestinalis and spontaneous pneumoperitoneum without evidence of peritonitisin a patient with long-standing mixed connective tissue disease. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis revealed pneumatosisof the jejunum and intra-abdominal free air, without evidence of perforation. The patient was managed non-operatively. Prior to discharge, onpost-admission day two, imaging revealed resolution of the pneumatosis but persistent large volume pneumoperitoneum. It is important forclinicians to recognize pneumatosis and pneumoperitoneum as a possible benign complication in patients with mixed connective tissue diseaseand differentiate it from ruptured viscous. The management of benign spontaneous pneumoperitoneum can be supportive, thereby avoidingunnecessary investigations and surgery.