Idiopathic pneumatosis intestinalis secondary to lactulose use in patients with cirrhosis.

Publication/Presentation Date

6-1-2020

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Few case reports exist that link lactulose use with pneumatosis intestinalis in cirrhotics. This study investigates the relationship between lactulose use and idiopathic pneumatosis intestinalis in a cohort of cirrhotic patients.

METHODS: This case series considers several notable cases of patients with idiopathic pneumatosis intestinalis and concurrent lactulose use. Idiopathic pneumatosis intestinalis was defined as pneumatosis intestinalis with no identifiable etiology. A cohort of 119 patients with cirrhosis and pneumatosis intestinalis were identified in a tertiary care setting, via chart review by a multidisciplinary team. Eleven of these patients were found to have idiopathic pneumatosis intestinalis. Nine of these patients were being treated with lactulose.

RESULTS: Six out of 9 patients with idiopathic pneumatosis intestinalis that were being treated with lactulose saw resolution of pneumatosis intestinalis following discontinuation of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: The etiology of idiopathic pneumatosis intestinalis is likely multifactorial, but lactulose might play a preventable role in its formation.

Volume

35

Issue

6

First Page

1065

Last Page

1068

ISSN

1440-1746

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

31692099

Department(s)

Department of Medicine

Document Type

Article

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