title: Iatrogenic pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema as a complication of colonoscopy with cold forceps biopsy.
abstract: A 58-year-old woman underwent outpatient colonoscopy with multiple cold forceps biopsy for evaluation of a presumptive diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. Six hours following the procedure, she developed subcutaneous crepitus and presented to the emergency department, where chest X-ray revealed pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema. Our case discusses this unusual complication of colonoscopy and its diagnosis and management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Wright Patterson Medical Center, 88MDOS/SGOMIA, 4881 Sugar Maple Drive, WPAFB, OH 45433, USA.
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Loughlin
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Duncan
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000009:adverse effects