Retroperitoneal, mediastinal and subcutaneous emphysema as a complication of routine upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
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.
Girardi
A
A
Divisione Medica, Ospedale di San Donà (Venice), Italy.
Piazza
I
I
Giunta
G
G
Pappagallo
G
G
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