title: [Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous cervical emphysema as signs of rectosigmoid perforation].
abstract: Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema of the neck occur exceptionally in spontaneous, retroperitoneal perforation of the sigmoid colon. These signs, in association with a septic syndrome and multiple organ failure, mandate the search of a gastrointestinal tract perforation, even in the absence of digestive symptoms. Careful deep palpation of the abdomen may determine the abdominal origin of the septic focus and thereby provide justification for exploratory laparotomy without further diagnostic investigations.
authors.affiliation: Clinique de Chirurgie Digestive, Département de Chirurgie, Hôpital Cantonal Universitaire, Genève.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Prêtre
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rohner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004238:Diverticulitis / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000150:complications*; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D009333:Neck / Q000503:physiopathology; D011859:Radiography; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000150:complications; D012810:Sigmoid Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*
vernacular_title: Pneumomédiastin et emphysème sous-cutané cervical témoins d'une perforation recto-sigmoïdienne.