[Pneumatosis cystoides of the colon. Apropos of 7 cases].

Seven cases of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis affecting the colon (PKC) revealed 5 times by a nonspecific symtomatology and 2 times by an occlusion were reported. In three of the patients the disease was found as a primary idiopathic form free of clinical antecedents. In 4 of the patients the pneumatosis was found to be secondary to a pulmonary disease, a gastric ulcer, a connectivite of a corticotherapy. The PKC was generally diagnosed either by barium enema or by computed tomography and less frequently by colonoscopy with deep biopsy allowing differential diagnosis with colonic polyposis. The mechanism and etiology of the PKC were not fully understood. The illness is a benign condition that often responds to a conservative management--i.e. abstention, oxygenotherapy, diet or antibiotherapy- or exceptionally to surgical colonic resection in case of acute complication.