Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is a condition in which cystic collections of gas develop within the gastrointestinal wall, forming submucosal or subserosal “bubbles”. The radiologic manifestations are often dramatic and most notably are associated with life-threatening bowel ischaemia. PI may occur as a primary type but is usually secondary in nature, attributable to a wide spectrum of causes (benign and fulminant), ranging from immunosuppression to bowel infarction. Herein, we report a case of massive and extensive PI in a patient with small bowel ischaemia, having both benign and serious clinical origins.

Acute appendicitis (AA) is one of the most common causes of acute abdominal pain and it generally affects young males in the second or third decade of their life. Due to its often insidious presentations, the diagnosis is challenging and, if delayed, can lead to life-threatening complications. This report describes a rare case of an almost asymptomatic complicated appendicitis caused by an appendicolith followed by spontaneous detachment of the vermiform appendix and its complete colliquative necrosis with abscess formation. Thus far this is the first case of spontaneous appendix avulsion in an adult where the appendix is entirely colliquated into an abscess.