Response to octreotide of intestinal pseudoobstruction and pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis associated with progressive systemic sclerosis

Abstract

Intestinal pseudoobstruction and pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis are uncommon complications of progressive systemic sclerosis. We report a 26-year-old woman with this disorder who responded poorly to conventional treatment. Subcutaneous administration of octreotide, a long-acting somatostatin analogue, at a dose of 50 micrograms/day for 3 weeks, relieved symptoms such as nausea and bloating. There was also a marked decrease of intestinal gas accumulation, as documented on X-ray films.