ICM-II: ABDOMEN, case 2

This is a closeup of some of the unusual bowel loops. A speckled pattern may just be stool within the colon, but the black dots in this case seem to be lined up in rows, and this suggests gas that is within the wall of the bowel, called 'pneumatosis intestinalis'. This is seen in patients with vascular compromise leading to breakdown of the mucosa. Gas from the lumen can then get into the wall of the bowel, and ultimately may lead to perforation.