Gastrointestinal malignant neoplasms disguised as pneumatosis cystoids intestinalis

RATIONALE Pneumatosis cystoids intestinalis (PCI) is a rare disease in which gas develops in the mucosa or submucosa of the digestive tract. The etiology and pathogenesis of this disease, at present, remain unclear, and gastrointestinal malignant neoplasms may be a potentially important cause. Herein, we report a case of mantle cell lymphoma presenting as PCI as well as present a literature review of cases of suspect PCI that was definitively diagnosed as gastrointestinal neoplasms. In doing so, we highlighted cases of neoplastic pathogenesis that present as PCI. PATIENT CONCERNS A 55-year-old man was referred to our gastrointestinal department with complaints of intermittent abdominal pain, distention, diarrhea, and occasional melena that persisted for 2 months. He has a history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. DIAGNOSES Intensive, translucent, grape-like cystoids of the whole colon and small intestine were disguised as PCI upon colonoscopy and capsule endoscopy. INTERVENTIONS Right hemicolectomy and ileocecectomy were performed for intussusception and to confirm the diagnosis. Final pathology indicated that the mass was mantle cell lymphoma. OUTCOMES After surgery and subsequent chemotherapy, the patient showed good recovery and no abnormal lesions were detected on colonoscopy. LESSONS As shown through this case and a literature review of similar cases of apparent PCI that was definitively diagnosed as gastrointestinal neoplasm, gastrointestinal malignant neoplasms might rarely present as PCI and neoplastic etiologies should also be considered once PCI is detected. Because most patients with malignant PCIs might inevitably experience severe complications, abdominal surgery should be considered and applied timely after unsuccessful resolution by conservative medical therapies and symptomatic treatments.