Esophageal pneumatosis: Case report and review of literature

Clin Imaging. 2019 Nov-Dec:58:15-21. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2019.06.005. Epub 2019 Jun 13.

Abstract

Pneumatosis of the gastrointestinal tract is defined as presence of air in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract and can occur in any part of the gastrointestinal tract. It is most commonly seen in the intestine and very rarely in the esophagus. The exact pathogenesis is still unknown. It is managed primarily by conservative and non-surgical therapy, unless there are findings to suggest an acute abdomen or other co-morbidities. On review of literature, very few case reports of esophageal pneumatosis have been published. We present a rare case of pneumatosis of the esophagus with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection.

Keywords: Cytomegalovirus; Esophagus; Pneumatosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biopsy
  • Chest Pain / etiology
  • Cytomegalovirus / isolation & purification*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / complications
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / drug therapy
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / virology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Esophageal Diseases / complications
  • Esophageal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Esophageal Diseases / drug therapy
  • Esophageal Diseases / virology
  • Female
  • Humans

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents