Computed tomography colonography imaging of pneumatosis intestinalis after hyperbaric oxygen therapy: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Pneumatosis intestinalis is a condition characterized by the presence of submucosal or subserosal gas cysts in the wall of digestive tract. Pneumatosis intestinalis often remains asymptomatic in most cases but may clinically present in a benign form or less frequently in fulminant forms. Treatment for such conditions includes antibiotic therapy, diet therapy, oxygen therapy and surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: The present report describes the case of a 56-year-old Swiss-born man with symptomatic pneumatosis intestinalis resistant to all treatment except hyperbaric oxygen therapy, as showed by computed tomography colonography images performed before, during and after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The current case describes the response to hyperbaric oxygen therapy using virtual colonoscopy technique one month and three months after treatment. Moreover, after six months of follow-up, there has been no recurrence of digestive symptoms.