PNEUMATOSIS-INTESTINALIS AND ACTIVE CYTOMEGALOVIRAL INFECTION AFTER LUNG TRANSPLANTATION

Pneumatosis intestinalis occurred in a patient with a primary cytomega loviral (CMV) infection with pneumonitis 6 weeks after single lung tra nsplantation for primary pulmonary hypertension. The possible causal r elationship between pneumatosis intestinalis, an uncommon disorder wit h an obscure pathogenesis, and active CMV infection has been observed before; however, to our knowledge, this is the first report of this co mbination after lung transplantation, The patient had no abdominal com plaints, and after treatment of the CMV infection, the pneumatosis int estinalis resolved spontaneously. The early diagnosis of active CMV in fection and the prevention of unnecessary abdominal surgery were essen tial in this case.