Elemental diet in the treatment of pneumatosis coli.

BACKGROUND

Pneumatosis cystoides coli (PCC) is a rare condition characterized by gas-filled cysts in the bowel wall. Our aim was to assess the response of PCC to treatment with an elemental diet.

METHODS

Two patients with PCC were treated with an elemental diet. Both patients had experienced debilitating symptoms for at least a year and were unresponsive to other therapies. Elemental 028 comprises readily absorbed amino acids, fats, simple sugars, minerals, vitamins, and trace elements. After colonoscopically documented resolution at 2 weeks, low-residue foods were gradually added to the diet.

RESULTS

Both patients' symptoms disappeared within 3-4 days of commencing the diet, and colonoscopy at 2 weeks confirmed complete resolution of the cysts. One patient relapsed with the introduction of high-residue foods and was again controlled within days by recommencing the elemental diet.

CONCLUSION

An elemental diet can successfully treat both the initial presentation of PCC and any subsequent relapse.