Pneumatosis intestinalis after gefitinib therapy for pulmonary adenocarcinoma: a case report

BACKGROUND: Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is defined as the presence of gas in the bowel wall and is a relatively rare finding. PI has been associated with various pathological conditions and medications. Although several chemotherapeutic agents and molecular targeted therapy agents are reported to be associated with PI, there have been few reports describing the association between the anti-epidermal growth factor receptor agent gefitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), and PI. The present report describes a case of PI secondary to gefitinib therapy. CASE PRESENTATION: An 80-year-old woman who had been diagnosed with recurrent lung adenocarcinoma presented with remarkable appetite loss, abdominal distension, and constipation after starting gefitinib therapy. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen revealed PI extending from the small intestine to the rectum. The patient was managed conservatively, and gefitinib therapy was discontinued. Subsequently, the symptoms improved and a follow-up abdominal X-ray showed a reduction in intramural air. After gefitinib was restarted, PI occurred three more times. CONCLUSIONS: Although PI is extremely rare, physicians should be aware of the risk of PI in patients undergoing gefitinib therapy.