Gastric pneumatosis/interstitial emphysema of the stomach
This entity was first described in 1889 by Fraenkel in adults.1 It is rare and primarily a radiological diagnosis. It has been seen in preterm and term babies, and infants up to 9 months of age. In adults, infection with gas forming organisms (Escherichia coli, Proteus, Clostridium welchii, and Staphylococcus aureus), gastric outlet obstruction, and instrumentation are the more commonly reported associations. In newborn babies, it is usually associated with widespread necrotising enterocolitis.
We came across this radiological finding in a 32 week gestation baby who became acutely unwell on day 4. Enteral feeds had been started on day 2. Abdominal radiographs also showed widespread pneumatosis intestinalis (fig 1). Blood cultures were negative, but umbilical and ear swabs grew E coli.
This radiological sign may indicate other conditions that require urgent surgical management, such as hypertrophic pyloric stenosis2 or duodenal stenosis.3 In these cases it has been suggested that gas enters the intramural space through mucosal tears produced from overdistention of the stomach. Gastric decompression usually leads to rapid clearance (16–20 hours) of this radiological finding2 and good recovery after appropriate surgical management. At operation on day 10 in our patient, there were multiple areas of small intestinal necrosis, but the stomach looked normal. Gastric pneumatosis has also been reported secondary to intramural malplacement of a feeding catheter4 and after cardiac surgery in the newborn period.5 The proposed cause in the latter scenario is temporary hypoperfusion of the gastrointestinal mucosa during cardiopulmonary bypass and ischaemic injury to the stomach causing mucosal disruption.
Abdominal radiograph showing gastric pneumatosis.
