An Atypical Cause of Pneumatosis Intestinalis: Norovirus Infection in an Elderly Male

TL;DR

This paper reports a rare case of a common virus causing a severe intestinal condition in an elderly man.

Contribution

The paper highlights a rare but serious complication of norovirus infection in an elderly patient.

Findings

Norovirus can cause pneumatosis intestinalis, a rare and serious intestinal condition.

The case involved septic shock and gastrointestinal bleeding in an elderly male.

This case emphasizes the potential severity of norovirus in high-risk populations.

Abstract

Norovirus is a major cause of gastroenteritis, commonly presenting with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, myalgia, and fever. Most cases are self-limited, but serious complications can occur, particularly in high-risk populations. Pneumatosis intestinalis is an uncommon but serious condition that may require surgical intervention and is characterized by the presence of gas in the bowel wall. Pneumatosis intestinalis is a known, albeit extremely rare, complication of norovirus infection. We report a case of norovirus gastroenteritis in a 77-year-old male complicated by septic shock, pneumatosis intestinalis, and gastrointestinal bleeding, highlighting a rare but serious manifestation of this common infection.

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