PNEUMATOSIS INTESTINALIS IN PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH NEURODISABILITY: A CASE SERIES.

Woods, R.; Lopez, L.G.; Cernat, E.

PNEUMATOSIS INTESTINALIS IN PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH NEURODISABILITY: A CASE SERIES.

All Authors

Woods, R.

Lopez, L.G.

Cernat, E.

LTHT Author

Woods, Roshan
Gomez Lopez, Lilianne
Cernat, Elena

LTHT Department

Doctors' Rotation
Leeds Children's Hospital
Children's Services
Paediatric Gastroenterology

Publication Date

2025

Item Type

Conference Abstract

Abstract

Patients with neurodisability can lack the capacity to communicate their symptoms. Understanding the natural history and implications of Pneumatosis Intestinalis (PI) in this group of patients could help refine diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, potentially sparing unnecessary surgical interventions. A retrospective keyword search of a radiology database identified patients diagnosed with PI via imaging over a 10 year period (2014-2024). Exclusion criteria were applied, selecting paediatric patients 6 months to 16 years of age with PI and neurodisability. Patient notes were analysed to identify: 1) subtle or atypical signs that may be present despite lack of clear symptoms 2) patients management 3) patient outcomes in form of clinical resolution and recurrence of PI. Five patients were identified (table 1). All 5 patients were managed conservatively, with all but one having resolution of PI noted on imaging. In the absence of any specific surgical intervention, only one patient experienced recurrent PI. Despite this, the patient remained asymptomatic from a gastrointestinal perspective on each subsequent episode. These cases demonstrate that a conservative approach to management can be effective and should not be ruled out in favour of surgical management.