Pneumatosis intestinalis pathophysiology

There are two theories on pathogenesis of pneumatois intestinalis. Mechanical theory suggests that gas dissects into the bowel wall from either the intestinal lumen or the lungs via the mediastinum due to some mechanism causing increased pressure. Bacterial theory proposes that gas-forming bacilli enter the submucosa through mucosal rents or increased mucosal permeability and produce gas within the bowel wall.

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