Perforated cecal carcinoma presenting as thigh emphysema.
Gastrointestinal perforation into the retroperitoneum may present as thigh emphysema. In the elderly, abdominal symptoms may be minimal. We report a patient with a perforated cecal carcinoma presenting as right hip pain with thigh emphysema. A diagnosis of perforated intra-abdominal viscus was suspected from the radiographs. The patient initially did well after surgery, which included a hemicolectomy and debridement of necrotic muscle down to the knee. He later succumbed from cardiac arrest following a dyspneic episode.
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications*; D002429:Cecal Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D002430:Cecal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D004646:Emphysema / Q000209:etiology*; D006615:Hip; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D013848:Thigh