title: Retroperitoneal abscess and extensive subcutaneous emphysema in perforated appendicitis: a case report.
abstract: Most of the time, the diagnosis and treatment of appendicitis are straightforward. However, a missed diagnosis can sometimes lead to life-threatening complications. A fatal case of appendicitis in a 76-year-old man who presented with progressive abdominal pain, retroperitoneal abscesses and extensive subcutaneous emphysema, is described. Eventually, laparotomy showed appendicitis perforated into the retroperitoneum without any signs of peritonitis. Despite multiple operations the patient died two months after admission due to multiple organ failure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Sint Lucas Andreas Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: N B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Tomasoa
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ultee
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Vrouenraets
mesh_terms: D018784:Abdominal Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D000368:Aged; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed