PNEUMATOSIS-CYSTOIDES-INTESTINALIS AFTER CHEMOTHERAPY FOR HEMATOLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES - REPORT OF 4 CASES

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is known to be a relatively r are condition which is characterized by gas cysts in the gastrointesti nal mucosa. We treated four cases of PCI accompanied by hematological malignancies during chemotherapy treatment. All cases suffered from ab dominal discomfort. Abdominal X-ray films revealed gas cysts in the in testine. PCI was observed during leukocytopenic states, and three case s had septicemia. Etoposide was administered to three cases, and predn isolone to all cases. It is considered that PCI sometimes occurs in pa tients with hematological malignancies during a period of leukocytopen ia, and may be caused by intestinal mucosal damage due to myelosuppres sive agents and immunosuppression from prednisolone.