Subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum and pneumoperitoneum after unsuccessful ERCP: a case report.
BACKGROUND
The presence of subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum and pneumoperitoneum simultaneously is a rare complication of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy that usually indicates free perforation to the peritoneal cavity or the retroperitoneal space.


METHODS
We report an unusual case of a self-limited subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum and pneumoperitoneum following an unsuccessful ERCP for removal of a common bile duct stone.


CONCLUSIONS
There was no radiological evidence of peritoneal or retroperitoneal perforation. This complication is distinct from pneumomediastinum and pneumoperitoneum due to perforation, and must be recognized, because it is benign and needs no surgical or radiological intervention.
Alexiou
Konstantinos
K
Department of Surgery, "Sismanoglio" General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece. sakellaridis_t@yahoo.gr.
Sakellaridis
Timothy
T
Sikalias
Nikolaos
N
Karanikas
Ioannis
I
Economou
Nikolaos
N
Antsaklis
Giorgios
G