J Lung Cancer.  2008 Dec;7(2):101-102. 10.6058/jlc.2008.7.2.101.

A Case of Pneumatosis Intestinalis Induced by Chemotherapy in a Patient with Lung Cancer

• Kwon MH
• Kwon SJ
• Choi E
• Na MJ
• Son JW

• KMID: 2200036
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.6058/jlc.2008.7.2.101

Abstract

Pneumatosis intestinalis is an uncommon condition that is characterized by the presence of gas within the bowel wall. We experienced a case of pneumatosis intestinalis after cession of chemotherapy and we herein report on this case. A 58-year old man was admitted to our hospital for the evaluation of incidentally recognized pneumatosis intestinalis. He was diagnosed as having non small cell lung cancer in August 2006 and he received radiation therapy for concomitant brain metastasis and SVC syndrome in September 2006. He achieved a partial response after completing 6 cycles of chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin. Newly enlarged lymph nodes were observed on the follow-up CT, and chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin was started in July 2007. Due to the lack of a response, the therapeutic regimen was switched to oral erlotinib. After 1 month of treatment, the follow-up CT for response evaluation revealed pneumatosis intestinalis in the ascending colon without any subjective symptoms such as fever or abdominal pain. The laboratory results were within the normal range except for a slight increase of leukocytes. He underwent right hemicolectomy, but he didn't survive his postoperative acute renal failure and pneumonia

Keyword

Pneumatosis intestinalis; Chemotherapy; Non small cell lung cancer

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Acute Kidney Injury
Brain
Carboplatin
Cisplatin
Colon, Ascending
Deoxycytidine
Fever
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Leukocytes
Lung
Lung Neoplasms
Lymph Nodes
Neoplasm Metastasis
Paclitaxel
Pneumonia
Quinazolines
Reference Values
Small Cell Lung Carcinoma
Erlotinib Hydrochloride
Carboplatin
Cisplatin
Deoxycytidine
Paclitaxel
Quinazolines

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Abdominal CT shows air in the wall of the ascending colon (arrows).

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  Fig. 2. (A) Gross appearance of the right hemicolectomy specimen. (B) The section shows numerous air-containing cysts.