Case Report
Published: Dec 15, 2025 | DOI: 10.24911/ejmcr.9-2312
Pneumatosis portalis and pneumatosis intestinalis following aortic valve surgery: a case report
Authors:
Zakariya Sattar
, Wadah Ali
Article Info
Authors
Zakariya Sattar
Department of General Surgery, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Wolverhampton, UK
Wadah Ali
Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Wolverhampton, UK
Publication History
Received: July 30, 2025
Accepted: November 13, 2025
Published: December 15, 2025
Abstract
Background:
Pneumatosis portalis and pneumatosis intestinalis, when seen in conjunction, are rare but ominous findings on imaging of the abdomen, frequently indicating severe intra-abdominal disease such as intestinal ischaemia. We present a case of pneumatosis portalis and intestinalis following cardiac surgery without evidence of significant intra-abdominal disease.
Case presentation:
A 62-year-old male underwent open bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis. Four days post-operatively, the patient developed severe abdominal pain and distension. Contrast computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen demonstrated a significant degree of gas within the portal venous system and within the intestinal wall. At exploratory laparotomy, no evidence of significant bowel ischaemia or intra-abdominal disease was evident, a finding confirmed after re-look laparotomy 48 hours later. The patient was eventually discharged with no further sequelae noted.
Conclusion:
This case demonstrates the often pre-terminal finding of pneumatosis portalis and intestinalis, seen in a patient without evidence of any significant abdominal disease. We report a previously undescribed case of pneumatosis portalis and intestinalis following open cardiac surgery. Exploratory laparotomy should be performed if there is any clinical concern given the potential mortality associated with these findings.
Keywords: pneumatosis portalis; pneumatosis intestinalis; portal venous gas; aortic valve surgery; case report
Pubmed Style
Zakariya Sattar, Wadah Ali. Pneumatosis portalis and pneumatosis intestinalis following aortic valve surgery: a case report. EJMCR. 2025; 15 (December 2025): -. doi:10.24911/ejmcr.9-2312
Web Style
Zakariya Sattar, Wadah Ali. Pneumatosis portalis and pneumatosis intestinalis following aortic valve surgery: a case report. https://www.ejmcr.com/index.php/articles/2312 [Access: December 17, 2025]. doi:10.24911/ejmcr.9-2312
AMA (American Medical Association) Style
Zakariya Sattar, Wadah Ali. Pneumatosis portalis and pneumatosis intestinalis following aortic valve surgery: a case report. EJMCR. 2025; 15 (December 2025): -. doi:10.24911/ejmcr.9-2312
Vancouver/ICMJE Style
Zakariya Sattar, Wadah Ali. Pneumatosis portalis and pneumatosis intestinalis following aortic valve surgery: a case report. EJMCR. (2025), [cited December 17, 2025]; 15 (December 2025): -. doi:10.24911/ejmcr.9-2312
Harvard Style
Zakariya Sattar, Wadah Ali (2025) Pneumatosis portalis and pneumatosis intestinalis following aortic valve surgery: a case report. EJMCR, 15 (December 2025): -. doi:10.24911/ejmcr.9-2312
Chicago Style
Zakariya Sattar, Wadah Ali. "Pneumatosis portalis and pneumatosis intestinalis following aortic valve surgery: a case report." 15 (2025), -. doi:10.24911/ejmcr.9-2312
MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style
Zakariya Sattar, Wadah Ali. "Pneumatosis portalis and pneumatosis intestinalis following aortic valve surgery: a case report." 15.December 2025 (2025), -. Print. doi:10.24911/ejmcr.9-2312
APA (American Psychological Association) Style
Zakariya Sattar, Wadah Ali (2025) Pneumatosis portalis and pneumatosis intestinalis following aortic valve surgery: a case report. , 15 (December 2025), -. doi:10.24911/ejmcr.9-2312