Pneumatosis Intestinalis Manifesting as an Atypical Presentation of Crohn's Disease.

ABSTRACT

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that has a bimodal distribution, occurring most frequently between ages 15 to 30 years and 40 to 60 years. It presents with a relapsing and remitting course. The most common area involved is the terminal ileum and right colon and the inflammation oftentimes leads to non-caseating granulomas and ulcerations in both the superficial mucosa and deeper layers. Additionally, pneumatosis intestinalis is defined as the presence of gas and free air in the extraluminal space of the intestines which is an abnormal occurrence and correlates with underlying pathology. There are only a few cases reported in the literature that present pneumatosis intestinalis in the setting of, and possibly linked to, Crohn's disease. Our case presents an elderly male patient with jejunal ulcerations and strictures suggesting Crohn's disease and associated pneumatosis intestinalis as evidenced on outpatient computed tomography (CT) enterography. Upon presentation to the hospital, the patient was non-toxic and was not complaining of any pain. During his inpatient stay, there was a suspicion of Crohn's disease and therefore he was started on Infliximab therapy. We will review the possible pathogenesis of Crohn's disease and other cases presenting pneumatosis intestinalis in the setting of Crohn's disease.