1. Pneumatosis intestinalis and spontaneous perforation associated with drug toxicity in oncologic patients: a case series.
- Author
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Brocchi S, Parmeggiani A, Gaudiano C, Balacchi C, Renzulli M, Brandi N, Dall'Olio FG, Rihawi K, Ardizzoni A, and Golfieri R
- Subjects
- Humans, Retrospective Studies, Spontaneous Perforation, Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions, Intestinal Perforation chemically induced, Intestinal Perforation diagnostic imaging, Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis chemically induced, Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis diagnostic imaging
- Abstract
Pneumatosis Intestinalis (PI) is a rare radiological finding defined as the presence of extra-luminal gas within the intestinal wall. Several anti-tumor drugs can induce a damage of the gastrointestinal walls as an adverse effect, causing loss of mucosal integrity and endoluminal gas diffusion, responsible for PI development. We retrospectively analyzed 8 cases of PI detected through radiological imaging in oncologic patients undergoing various therapeutic regimens: five patients were receiving chemotherapy, two molecular targeted therapy (MTT) and one immunotherapy. Three patients were asymptomatic and pneumatosis was incidentally detected at routinary follow-up CT and then treated conservatively. Five patients presented acute abdomen symptoms and in these cases bowel perforation was the cause of death. Our experience confirms PI and perforation as rare complications of drug toxicity, especially in oncologic patients treated with combinations of different anticancer drugs and documented the second reported case of PI associated with atezolizumab and alectinib single administration., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest, (© Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica.)
- Published
- 2021
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