PMC3350042_01
Supine abdomen demonstrates extensive pelvic vascular calcification. However no radio-opaque calculi are present. The bowel gas pattern was initially considered to be normal, but closer inspection demonstrates pneumatosis intestinalis within the cecal wall (arrow).
CRIM.RADIOLOGY2012-575342.001.jpg
PMC3350042_01_CRIM.RADIOLOGY2012-575342.001.jpg
fig1
The supine abdominal radiograph (Figure 1) demonstrated extensive arterial calcification, what was initially considered to be a "normal bowel gas" pattern but no radio-opaque calculi were detected.
(a) Noncontrast CT image of the liver demonstrates intraluminal gas in a portal venule in the caudate lobe (arrow). (b) Noncontrast CT image through the lower abdomen demonstrates cecal wall thickening with fat stranding and linear pneumatosis intestinal within the cecal wall with intraluminal gas in adjacent mesenteric venules (arrows). Note the calcified mesenteric artery branches.
CRIM.RADIOLOGY2012-575342.002.jpg
PMC3350042_01_CRIM.RADIOLOGY2012-575342.002.jpg
fig2
CT study small quantities of linear gas were detected in the peripheral portal vein branches of the caudate lobe of the liver (Figure 2(a)), the peripheral mesenteric veins branches to the caecum and ascending colon, and a thickened wall of cecal wall with pericecal fat stranding (Figure 2(b)). Calcification of the walls of the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries was noted.