Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis. A statistical study of 919 cases.

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis, an uncommon disease characterized by the presence of gaseous bubbles in bowel wall, is studied by a review of 919 cases of the world literature. The subserous cysts are more frequently found in the small bowel while the submucous localizations are predominant in the colonic wall. The disease, occurring more frequently in males than in females, is associated with several other lesions: pyloric stenosis and scleroderma for small bowel pneumatosis, chronic cardiopathies and dolichocolon for colonic localizations. Jejunoileal bypass for morbid obesity is an increasing iatrogenic cause. Diagnosis is based on radiology and endoscopy with biopsy but is not yet correctly done in many cases. The treatment is essentially medical.