Do alpha-glucosidase inhibitors have the potential to induce portal venous gas? -Two clinical case reports.

Abstract

We herein report two cases of portal venous gas (PVG) following alpha-glucosidase inhibitor (α-GI) therapy for diabetes mellitus. Anti-diabetic treatment with voglibose was commenced in the first case, while the second case was treated with miglitol. Both patients recovered without intensive treatment after discontinuing the α-GI therapy. α-GI medications may increase internal intestinal tract pressure by releasing carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas, potentially causing pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) or PVG. Our experience suggests that α-GI therapy is an important potential cause of portal venous gas that can be treated conservatively.

• Authors: Hiroaki Makiyama, Ryoko Kataoka, Masaru Tauchi, Hiroki Sumitomo, Rikiya Fuita
• Journal: Internal medicine (Tokyo, Japan) (Intern Med) Vol. 53 Issue 7 Pg. 691-4 ( 2014) ISSN: 1349-7235 [Electronic] Japan
• PMID: 24694477 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Diabetes Mellitus (drug therapy)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Embolism, Air (diagnosis, etiology)
• Female
• Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Humans
• Male
• Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis (chemically induced, complications, diagnosis)
• Portal Vein (diagnostic imaging)
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed