Blunt abdominal trauma resulting in pneumatosis intestinalis in an infant

We report a case of pnuematosis intestinalis in a 2-year-old boy after blunt abdominal trauma. In the setting of blunt trauma, the hypothesized mechanism of pneumatosis intestinalis is mechanical disruption of the intestinal mucosa with extravasation of luminal gas within the intestinal wall. Although the presence of intraluminal gas may imply intestinal necrosis and the need for an invasive procedure, this case report suggests that management without surgery can lead to successful outcome in selected cases. [Koutouzis T, Lee J. Blunt abdominal trauma resulting in pneumatosis intestinalis in an infant. Ann Emerg Med. December 2000;36:619-621.]