Benign pneumatosis intestinalis in a child with cavopulmonary shunt and immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Abstract

We present the case of a nine-year-old boy with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and immune thrombocytopenic purpura who subsequently developed pneumatosis intestinails with a benign clinical examination. While benign pneumatosis intestinails is a well-known clinical entity, the alarming radiographic findings set off a cascade of clinical angst among many providers. This case reminds physicians to correlate the ancillary study results with the patient's clinical presentation and stability.