Subcutaneous cervical emphysema and pneumomediastinum due to a lower gastrointestinal tract perforation.
This case report describes a 69-year-old man presenting 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.
Schmidt
Georg-B
GB
Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. g.b.schmidt@lumc.nl
Bronkhorst
Maarten-W
MW
Hartgrink
Henk-H
HH
Bouwman
Lee-H
LH
D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D003106:Colon; D004646:Emphysema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis