Pneumoperitoneum, pneumoretroperitoneum and pneumomediastinum: rare complications of perforation peritonitis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Gas extravasation complications arising from perforated diverticulitis are common but manifestations such as pneumoperitoneum, pneumoretroperitoneum, and pneumomediastinum happening at the same time are exceedingly rare. This case report explores the unique presentation of these 3 complications occurring simultaneously, their diagnosis and their management, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration for accurate diagnosis and effective management. CASE PRESENTATION: A 74-year-old North African female, with a medical history including hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, goiter, prior cholecystectomy, and bilateral total knee replacement, presented with sudden-onset pelvic pain, chronic constipation, and rectal bleeding. Clinical examination revealed hemodynamic instability, hypoxemia, and diffuse tenderness. After appropriate fluid resuscitation with norepinephrine and saline serum, the patient was stable enough to undergo computed tomography scan. Emergency computed tomography scan confirmed perforated diverticulitis at the rectosigmoid junction, accompanied by the unprecedented presence of pneumoperitoneum, pneumoretroperitoneum, and pneumomediastinum. The patient underwent prompt surgical intervention with colo-rectal resection and a Hartmann colostomy. The postoperative course was favorable, leading to discharge one week after admission. CONCLUSIONS: This case report highlights the clinical novelty of gas extravasation complications in perforated diverticulitis. The unique triad of pneumoperitoneum, pneumoretroperitoneum, and pneumomediastinum in a 74-year-old female underscores the diagnostic challenges and the importance of advanced imaging techniques. The successful collaboration between radiologists and surgeons facilitated a timely and accurate diagnosis, enabling a minimally invasive surgical approach. This case contributes to the understanding of atypical presentations of diverticulitis and emphasizes the significance of interdisciplinary teamwork in managing such rare manifestations.

Pneumohernios due to perforated cecum in left Amyand's hernia.

We report a case of incarcerated left indirect inguinal hernia in a male child which on exploration revealed the presence of free air and fecal matter containing fluid in the hernial sac. This is the second reported case of the presence of cecal perforation in left Amyand's hernia in pediatric age group and unique in the sense of the form of abnormal anatomy encountered per-operatively.

Ectopic air localizations after transanal procedures: A systematic literature review.

BACKGROUND: Aim of this study is to report and to analyze the incidence, clinical impact and treatment options of ectopic air localizations after transanal procedures. METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The research was carried out using the PubMed database, identifying 40 articles with the following keywords: "transanal" AND "emphysema"; "transanal" AND "subcutaneous emphysema"; "transanal" AND "pneumomediastinum"; "transanal" AND "pneumothoraces"; "transanal" AND "pneumopericardium"; "transanal" AND "retropneumoperitoneum". RESULTS: Nineteen articles, published between 1993 and 2017, were included in the study for a total of 29 patients. The most frequent air localization was in the retroperitoneum, followed by subcutaneous tissues, mediastinum and neck. This condition was treated conservatively in 20 patients, with colostomy in 4 patients, with bowel resection and negative diagnostic laparoscopy in one patient each. In three cases the treatment was not specified. Ectopic air location resolved in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Pneumo-mediastinum and pneumo-retroperitoneum after transanal procedures are unusual complications with a dramatic radiological appearance but can be managed successfully with a completely benign course in most cases. Initially, a conservative approach is recommended. Surgical treatment should be reserved only in case of fluid collection or suture dehiscence.

Head and neck subcutaneous emphysema, a rare complication of iatrogenic perforation during colonoscopy: management review of reported cases from 2000-2016.

INTRODUCTION: Subcutaneous face and neck emphysema secondary to colonic perforation is a rare complication of colonoscopy. Presentation may be complicated by pneumothorax and/or respiratory distress. Evidence limited to case studies. Therefore, no management consensus of these rarely reported cases exists. METHODS: All cases published on PubMed between 1 January 2000-1 November 2016 reporting subcutaneous face and/or neck emphysema after colonoscopy are included. Management is discussed with trends identified. We report a case of a patient undergoing routine polypectomy who developed subcutaneous emphysema of the face, neck and thorax with a pneumothorax and pneumoretroperitoneum. RESULTS: 37 cases were found (mean age = 64.1 ± 15.09 years). The majority (n = 24) were managed non-operatively. Conservative and operative management had mean inpatient stays of 7.6 ± 4.65 and 19.5 +/- 21.62 days respectively. Sixteen cases had a concomitant pneumothorax with nine (56.3%) requiring decompression. No mortalities occurred. CONCLUSION: An understanding of anatomy heightens awareness of the rare complication of face and/or neck surgical emphysema, secondary to pneumoretroperitoneum and pneumothorax, after perforation of the colon during endoscopy. Management remains controversial with expectant conservative bowel rest with antibiotics and operative intervention described. Conservative management had a shorter inpatient stay and was more common in younger patients.

Air everywhere: colon perforation after colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy is being widely used since the 1980s and is the leading diagnostic procedure for colorectal cancer. For many colorectal diseases, it is also a therapeutic tool. Like many other procedures in Medicine, it has its drawbacks and complications, some of which if not readily diagnosed can represent a serious risk to the patient's health and well-being. We describe a case of colon perforation during diagnostic colonoscopy in a patient, resulting in exuberant pneumoretroperitoneum, pneumoperitoneum, pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema, who successfully underwent laparoscopic colonic resection with primary anastomosis. There are only a few cases of combined intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal perforations described in the literature.

Pneumoretroperitoneum and pneumomediastinum after Stapled Anopexy Is conservative treatment possible?

INTRODUCTION: Stapled anopexy is considered the gold standard in treating haemorroidal disease associated to mucosal prolapse, but severe complications have been described. Among these, a minimal anastomotic leakage may lead to gas spreading into surrounding soft tissues. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 61 year old male who developed pneumoretroperitoneum and pneumomediastinun two days after a Stapled Anopexy. CT scans showed a minimal leakage with no abscess. The patient was successfully treated by bowel rest, antibiotics and total parenteral nutrition, avoiding surgical approach. CONCLUSION: A minimal anastomotic leakage following Stapled Anopexy, when leading to air diffusion into soft tissues and not associated to abscess or peritonitis may be treated conservatively avoiding ileostomy or colostomy. KEY WORDS: Anastomotic leakage, Pneumoretroperitoneum, Stapled Anopexy.

Massive pneumoretroperitoneum arising from emphysematous cholecystitis: a case report and the literature review.

BACKGROUND: Emphysematous cholecystitis is a severe variant of acute cholecystitis caused by anaerobic bacteria. Although intraperitoneal air as a complication has been described in association with emphysematous cholecystitis, pneumoretroperitoneum arising from emphysematous cholecystitis is extremely rare. Herein, we describe a rare case of pneumoretroperitoneum arising from emphysematous cholecystitis that was successfully treated with emergency surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: An 84-year-old male was transported to the Emergency Department of our hospital for acute abdomen. Computed tomography revealed acute cholecystitis accompanied by emphysematous change. Computed tomography also revealed massive pneumoretroperitoneum complicated with pneumobilia and gas in the hepatoduodenal ligament. Clinical findings fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for systemic inflammatory response syndrome and sepsis. Emergency surgery was carried out with a diagnosis of both emphysematous cholecystitis and gastrointestinal perforation. Intraoperative findings revealed acute gangrenous cholecystitis and pneumoretroperitoneum presenting with an odor-free foamy abscess along the loose connective tissue behind the ascending colon and mesocolon. No evidence of gastrointestinal perforation was found during surgery. Therefore, cholecystectomy and lavage drainage were performed. Bacterial culture examination isolated a single species of anaerobe, Klebsiella pneumoniae, which was considered to be the cause of emphysematous cholecystitis, pneumobilia, and pneumoretroperitoneum. CONCLUSIONS: Emphysematous cholecystitis should be considered as a possible cause of pneumoretroperitoneum. The present case is the first report of massive pneumoretroperitoneum extending to the dorsal side of the ascending mesocolon as a complication of emphysematous cholecystitis.

Pneumopericardium, pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax and pneumoretroperitoneum complicating pulmonary metastatic carcinoma in a cat.

This report describes a case of severe spontaneous tension pneumopericardium with concurrent pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax and retropneumoperitoneum in a cat presenting with dyspnoea and signs of cardiac tamponade secondary to metastatic pulmonary carcinoma. Spontaneous pneumopericardium is an extremely uncommon condition consisting of pericardial gas in the absence of iatrogenic/traumatic causes. In humans, it has been described secondary to pneumonia or lung abscess and very rarely secondary to pulmonary neoplasia.

Massive subcutaneous emphysema, bilateral pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, pneumoperitoneum, pneumoretroperitoneum, and pneumoscrotum after multiple direct laryngoscopies: an autopsy case report.

Multiple endotracheal intubation (ETI) attempts increase the risk of airway-related adverse events. However, little is known about autopsy findings after severe ETI-related complications. We present the detailed pathological findings in a patient with severe ETI-related complications. A 77-year-old obese male suffered cardiopulmonary arrest after choking at a rehabilitation facility. Spontaneous circulation returned after chest compressions and foreign-body removal. After multiple failed direct laryngoscopies, the patient was transferred to our hospital. He had massive subcutaneous emphysema, bilateral pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, pneumoperitoneum, pneumoretroperitoneum, and pneumoscrotum on admission, and died from hypoxic brain injury 15 h later. Autopsy revealed severe oropharyngeal, laryngeal, and left lung lower lobe injury. The likely mechanisms of diffuse emphysema were (1) oropharyngeal injury associated with multiple ETI attempts and excessive ventilation pressures and (2) left lung lower lobe injury associated with chest compressions and other resuscitative procedures. Multiple laryngoscopies can cause severe upper-airway injury, worsen respiratory status, and make ETI more difficult-a vicious circle that can be prevented by limiting ETI attempts. This is particularly important in unfavorable environments, in which backup devices and personnel are not easily obtained. The pathological findings in our patient caution against repeated attempts at ETI during resuscitation.