Copyright
©2008 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jun 28, 2008; 14(24): 3922-3923
Published online Jun 28, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.3922
Published online Jun 28, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.3922
Subcutaneous cervical emphysema and pneumomediastinum due to a lower gastrointestinal tract perforation
Georg B Schmidt, Henk H Hartgrink, Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden RC 2300, The Netherlands
Maarten W Bronkhorst, Lee H Bouwman, Department of Surgery, Bronovo Hospital, The Hague AX 2597, The Netherlands
Author contributions: Schmidt GB, Bronkhorst MW, Hartgrink HH and Bouwman LH contributed equally to this article.
Correspondence to: Georg B Schmidt, MD, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, PO-box 9600, Leiden RC 2300, The Netherlands. g.b.schmidt@lumc.nl
Telephone: +31-71-5269111
Fax: +31-71-5266750
Received: November 23, 2007
Revised: May 30, 2008
Accepted: June 6, 2008
Published online: June 28, 2008
Revised: May 30, 2008
Accepted: June 6, 2008
Published online: June 28, 2008
Abstract
This case report describes a 69-year-old man presen-ting with an extensive subcutaneous emphysema in his neck and generalized peritonitis caused by a lower gastrointestinal tract perforation. This case emphasizes that subcutaneous emphysema patients with negative thoracic findings should be scrutinized for signs of retroperitoneal hollow viscus perforation.
Keywords: Subcutaneous cervical emphysema; Pneumomediastinum; Gastrointestinal tract perforation; Malignancy; Diverticulitis