Evaluation of HBO^sub 2^ therapy in pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is a disease characterized by retention of gas in the intestinal wall. Retention of gas can be caused by three mechanisms; gas entry through the intestinal mucosa, gas dissection from the pulmonary alveoli and bronchi, and gas generation in the mucous membran...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inUndersea & hyperbaric medicine Vol. 31; no. 4; p. 387
Main Authors Togawa, S, Yamami, N, Nakayama, H, Shibayama, M, Mano, Y
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Bethesda Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society 01.12.2004
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Summary:Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is a disease characterized by retention of gas in the intestinal wall. Retention of gas can be caused by three mechanisms; gas entry through the intestinal mucosa, gas dissection from the pulmonary alveoli and bronchi, and gas generation in the mucous membrane. Since gas in cysts is composed almost entirely of nitrogen, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2) is effective for treating PCI due to the oxygen windows effect. However, PCI, caused by a mechanism involving pulmonary alveoli or branches, can become aggravated by HBO2. Therefore, we propose modifying HBO2 protocols for cases that do not require an invasive treatment. This study describes favorable results obtained in 2 PCI cases after HBO2 therapy according to our protocol.
ISSN:1066-2936