Yonsei Med J.  2002 Oct;43(5):686-689. 10.3349/ymj.2002.43.5.686.

Pneumatosis Intestinalis Associated with Immune-suppressive Agents in a Case of Minimal Change Disease

• Han BG
• Lee JM
• Yang JW
• Kim MS
• Choi SO

• KMID: 1728867
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2002.43.5.686

Abstract

We report treatment of a 38-year-old man with minimal change disease (MCD) who developed pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) during administration of immune-suppressive agents. His immunosuppressive medication had been tapered to 15 mg/day of prednisolone. MCD was steroid-resistant type. Abdominal examination and laboratory studies were not clinically remarkable. Radiologic findings were consistent with PI. Abnormal air accumulation was noted in the bowel, peritoneum, mediastinum and retroperitoneum. Conservative therapy with oxygen and metronidazole improved the PI symptoms. In 1993, a case of PI with nephrotic syndrome following steroid treatment was reported in Japan. However this is only the second case reported in the literature, and the first in English.

Keyword

Pneumatosis intestinalis; minimal change disease; steroids

MeSH Terms

Adult
Case Report
Human
Immunosuppressive Agents/*adverse effects
Male
Nephrosis, Lipoid/*drug therapy
Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis/*chemically induced
Prednisolone/*adverse effects