ELEMENTAL DIET IN THE TREATMENT OF PNEUMATOSIS-COLI

Background: Pneumatosis cystoides coli (PCC) is a rare condition chara cterized 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 h ad experienced debilitating symptoms for at least a year and were unre sponsive to other therapies. Elemental 028 comprises readily absorbed amino acids, fats, simple sugars, minerals, vitamins, and trace elemen ts. After colonoscopically documented resolution at 2 weeks, low-resid ue foods were gradually added to the diet. Results: Both patients' sym ptoms disappeared within 3-4 days of commencing the diet, and colonosc opy at 2 weeks confirmed complete resolution of the cysts. One patient relapsed with the introduction of high-residue foods and was again co ntrolled within days by recommencing the elemental diet. Conclusion: A n elemental diet can successfully treat both the initial presentation of PCC and any subsequent relapse.