title: Retroperitoneal, mediastinal and subcutaneous emphysema as a complication of routine upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
abstract: Diagnostic endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract is a safe procedure, which, however, is not without complications. We report the rare occurrence of retroperitoneal, mediastinal and subcutaneous emphysema following routine endoscopy, with no obvious evidence of a site of perforation. Possible etiological aspects are discussed. This complication appeared to be a benign clinical condition that was resolved with conservative, nonsurgical treatment.
authors.affiliation: Divisione Medica, Ospedale di San Donà (Venice), Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Girardi
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Piazza
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giunta
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pappagallo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004646:Emphysema / Q000209:etiology*; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005773:Gastroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000209:etiology; D012188:Retropneumoperitoneum / Q000209:etiology; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000209:etiology