Aerophagie
Newborn on
continuous positive airway pressure with a distended abdomen. AXR AP shows multiple dilated loops of bowel throughout the abdomen. The nasogastric tube tip projects over the body of the stomach.The diagnosis was aerophagia due to continuous positive airway pressure.
Pathologic aerophagia is a rare condition caused by excessive and inconvenient air swallowing. It is a self-limiting condition affecting mainly children exposed to high grades of stress but can be a persistent problem in children with psychiatric or neurological disorders.
Clinical presentation
- severe persisting abdominal distention: minimal in the morning, maximal in the evening
- abdominal pain
- belching/burping
- reduced appetite
- audible air swallowing: pathognomonic of the disease
- functional intestinal disorders: mainly constipation
- respiratory restriction in cases of extreme abdominal distention
Radiographic features
Plain radiograph
Plain radiograph shows diffuse gastric, small bowel and colon distention without signs of obstruction.
Complications
- volvulus
- intestinal necrosis or perforation
- death in severe cases
Siehe auch:
Assoziationen und Differentialdiagnosen zu Aerophagie: