phenprocoumon and Pneumatosis-Cystoides-Intestinalis

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is a rarely observed disorder on plain abdominal X-ray or colonoscopy examination. Although causing few complaints in adults, it can nevertheless lead to gastrointestinal bleeding. In the reported case, gastrointestinal bleeding was observed with coinciding pneumatosis and phenprocoumon therapy. After stopping anticoagulant therapy, pneumatosis vanished completely, thus suggesting that phenprocoumon is probably a further cause of the cystic disease. In the known list of drugs able to provoke pneumatosis, this case adds a new mechanism of affliction different to either immunosuppression or gas production.

Topics: Aged; Anticoagulants; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Humans; Male; Phenprocoumon; Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis; Radiography