Diagnostic value of intestinal fatty acid-binding protein for pneumatosis intestinalis

Background Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is known as a sign of a life-threatening bowel ischemia. We aimed to evaluate the utility of intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) in the diagnosis of pathologic PI. Methods All consecutive patients who presented to our emergency department with PI were prospectively enrolled. The diagnostic performance of I-FABP for pathologic PI was compared with that of other traditional biomarkers and various parameters. Results Seventy patients with PI were enrolled. Pathologic PI was diagnosed in 27 patients (39%). The levels of most biomarkers were significantly higher in patients with pathologic PI than those with nonpathologic PI (P <.05). Receiver operator characteristic analysis revealed that the area under the curve (AUC) was highest for I-FABP (area under the curve =.82) in the diagnosis of pathologic PI. Conclusions High I-FABP value, in combination with other parameters, might be clinically useful for pathologic PI.