Pneumatosis Coli Mimicking Colorectal Cancer

Figure 3

Microscopic appearances of the resected recto-sigmoid colon showing pneumatosis coli. Multiple cyst-like spaces situated predominantly in the submucosa lined by endothelial cells, macrophages, and multinucleate giant cells. Patchy chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate rich in eosinophils in the surrounding stroma. The mucosal layer showed focal hyperplastic changes and patchy nonspecific chronic active inflammation. There was no dysplasia or malignancy. (a) (A) Mucosa, (B) muscularis mucosae, and (C) air-filled space within submucosa. (b) (A) Air-filled spaces, (B) muscularis propria.

(a)

(b)