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.

Retroneumoperitoneo y celulitis retroperitoneal: complicaciones inusuales de la enfermedad diverticular del colon / Pneumoretroperitoneum and retroperitoneal cellulitis: unusual complications of colonic diverticular disease

Se reporta dos casos de retroneumoperitoneo con neumo-mediastino, consecuencias de perforaciones diverticulares en el espacio retroperitoneal, en pacientes portadores de diverticulitis aguda y septicemia. En ambos casos no se comprobó contaminación peritoneal alguna, siendo sometidos a Colectomia parcial tipo Hartmann con buena evolución; al momento del reporte ambos han sido sometidos al restablecimiento del tránsito colo-rectal. Se discuten los problemas diagnósticos y los posibles mecanis-mos del paso del aire - y gérmenes bacterianos - al mediastino.

We report two cases of retropneumoperitoneum with pneumomediastinum, as a result of diverticular perforations in the retroperitoneal space, in patients with acute diverticulitis and septicemia. In both cases the patients underwent partial colectomy (Hartmann procedure) with good evolution, and no sign of peritoneal contamination was found. Currently both patients have undergone colorectal transit restoration. We discuss problems with the diagnosis and possible mechanism of the air and bacterial germ passage to the mediastinum.

Perforación vaginal iatrogénica tras colonoscopia virtual / Latrogenic vaginal perforation after computed tomographic colonography

La colonoscopia virtual o colonografía por tomografía computarizada (TC) es una alternativa potencial a la colonoscopia convencional para la detección de pólipos y cáncer colorrectal. Presentamos un caso inusual de perforación iatrogénica vaginal durante una colonoscopia virtual. El paciente fue tratado con medidas conservadoras sin complicaciones. El presente caso es el primero en la literatura de perforación vaginal iatrogénica debido a la introducción del catéter de Foley a través de la vagina durante la realización de una colonografía por TC. La perforación vaginal es una complicación rara, fácilmente evitable con una correcta exploración clínica

Computed tomographic colonography is a potential alternative to conventional colonoscopy for the detection of colorectal polyps and cancers. We present an unusual case of iatrogenic vaginal perforation during a computed tomographic colonography. The patient was managed with conservative treatment without complications. The present case is the first in the literature of iatrogenic vaginal perforation due to the introduction of the Foley's catheter through vagina during the accomplishment of a computed tomographic colonography. Vaginal perforation is a rare complication, easily avoidable with a correct clinical exploration

Effect of CO2 pneumoperitoneum on the expression of the chemokine receptors CXCR4 and CCR7 in colorectal carcinoma cells in vitro.

BACKGROUND: The ability of pneumoperitoneum in laparoscopic surgery to promote proliferation and metastasis of colorectal cancer has become a focus of research in the field of minimally invasive surgery. The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of CO2 pneumoperitoneum under different pressures and exposed times on the expression of chemokine receptors in colorectal carcinoma cells. METHODS: We constructed an in vitro pneumoperitoneum model. SW480 colon carcinoma cells were exposed to CO2 pneumoperitoneum under different pressures (6, 9, 12, and 15 mmHg) for 1, 2, and 4 hours. These cells were then cultivated under the same conditions as normal SW480 colon carcinoma cells without CO2 pneumoperitoneum (control group), treated at 37°C, and 5% CO2. The expression of the chemokine receptors CXC receptor 4 (CXCR4) and chemokine C receptor 7 (CCR7) was detected by immunocytochemistry and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction after being cultivated for 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours. RESULTS: Immunocytochemistry showed that CXCR4 expression in SW480 cells was significantly decreased in the 6, 9, 12, and 15 mmHg CO2 pneumoperitoneum-treated groups for the same exposure times compared with controls (P < 0.05). CCR7 expression in SW480 cells was significantly decreased in the 12 and 15 mmHg CO2 pneumoperitoneum-treated groups compared with controls (P < 0.05). CXCR4 and CCR7 expression increased up to the level of the control group after 24 and 48 hours (P > 0.05). If the CO2 pneumoperitoneum pressure increased, CXCR4 and CCR7 expression decreased at all exposure times. If the CO2 pneumoperitoneum exposure time prolonged, there were no significant differences in CXCR4 and CCR7 expression under the same pressure. Under all exposure times, CXCR4 and CCR7 mRNA expression was significantly decreased in the 6, 9, 12, and 15 mmHg CO2 pneumoperitoneum-treated groups (P < 0.05) compared with controls, and it increased up to the level of controls after being cultivated for 48 hours (P > 0.05). If the CO2 pneumoperitoneum pressure increased (with all exposure times) and exposure time prolonged (under the same pressure), there were no significant differences in CXCR4 and CCR7 expression. CONCLUSIONS: CXCR4 and CCR7 expression is temporarily affected after continuous CO2 pneumoperitoneum treatment. The high pressure of CO2 pneumoperitoneum plays an important role in suppressing the expression of these chemokine receptors. Different lengths of time of exposure to a CO2 pneumoperitoneum-like environment do not change CXCR4 and CCR7 expression.

Nuevo caso de retroneumoperitoneo secundario al lavado con agua oxigenada de un absceso perianal / A new case of retropneumoperitoneum following washout with oxygenated water of a perianal abscess

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Pancreatitis por Clostridium perfringens con retroneumoperitoneo extenso / Pancreatitis caused by Clostridium perfringens infection with extensive retropneumoperitoneum

Presentamos un caso de pancreatitis enfisematosa primaria debida a infección por Clostridium Perfringens (CP), (también llamada gangrena gaseosa pancreática espontánea), en un varón de 66 años de edad, diabético y con antecedentes de pancreatitis recidivante. Es destacable la escasa focalidad del proceso, que se manifiesta radiológicamente con un extenso retroneumoperitoneo (RNP) y diseminación de el gas hacia la raíz del mesenterio y los espacios pélvicos extraperitoneales. Esta gran difusión está propiciada por las toxinas del propio Clostridium y por las enzimas pancreáticas liberadas, dando un cuadro de evolución fulminante con una mortalidad temprana y elevada en todos los casos revisados. El diagnóstico precoz de esta entidad es fundamental para instaurar un tratamiento enérgico médico y quirúrgico urgente. La diabetes es un factor de riesgo conocido para la infección por gérmenes anaerobios y entre ellos el CP, como es el caso de la colecistitis enfisematosa. Un páncreas o conducto pancreático patológico, facilita la aparición de infecciones, ya que aclara mal los gérmenes que a él acceden desde el duodeno. La gangrena gaseosa secundaria a sobreinfección de necrosis o colecciones pancreáticas es rara y la espontánea o primaria es excepcional (AU)

Enfisema subcutáneo como signo de perforación colónicatras diverticulitis aguda / Subcutaneous emphysema as sign of colonic perforation due to acute diverticulitis

Se presenta un caso de enfisema subcutáneo de localización cervical sin neumoperitoneo como signo clínico tras perforación de colon secundaria a una diverticulitis aguda de sigma. Se realiza una somera descripción de las distintas patologías que pueden causar enfisema subcutáneo así como de los mecanismos fisiopatológicos implicados en su formación. Se resalta igualmente la rareza del cuadro descrito así como el pronóstico sombrío que conlleva. The authors present a subcutaneous emphysema located at cervical level without pneumoperitoneo as clinical sign, after a colon perforation due to an acute sigma diverticulitis. We describe different pathologies that may present a subcutaneus emphysema an try to explain the phisiopathological mechanisms involved in this matter.We enphasize the oddness of the entity described and its awful prognosis (AU)

Pneumomediastinum: retroperitoneal pathway.

This is the first in vivo demonstration of the pathway of the gaseous column arising from an intra-abdominal source, traveling in the retroperitoneal space alongside the great vessels into the mediastinum, resulting in a pneumomediastinum.

Fatal carbon dioxide embolism as an unreported complication of retroperitoneoscopy.

Retroperitoneoscopy has gained popularity because it offers a safe alternative to the more debilitating open approach and avoids postoperative ileus. However, this type of procedure carries certain disadvantages in terms of intraperitoneal effusions and hemodynamic changes. Major complications are exceptional. We describe the case of a 52-year-old man who died of carbon dioxide embolism during elective totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernioplasty for symptomatic left indirect inguinal hernia. With the patient under general anesthesia, the retroperitoneal space was gained through a 1. 5-cm incision made below the umbilicus. During the dissection, the patient collapsed and could not be resuscitated. At autopsy, air bubbles were admixed with blood in the epicardial veins, but no injury to vessels was demonstrated. We conclude that carbon dioxide embolism usually is caused by direct puncture of major vessels during intra-abdominal procedures. However, when this complication occurs during retroperitoneoscopy, it seems related to pressure-forced entry of carbon dioxide into the venous plexus.

Benign pneumoperitoneum associated with pneumomediastinum and pneumoretroperitoneum in ambulatory outpatients.

Perforation of a hollow viscus and other dangerous etiologies must always be considered in the evaluation of free peritoneal air. Pneumoperitoneum in the presence of pneumoretroperitoneum and pneumomediastinum, however, often results from air tracking from a pathologic source outside of the abdomen along the mesentery into the peritoneum. This syndrome is relatively benign, and should be considered when there are multiple sites of extraluminal air in order to minimize the risk of unnecessary exploratory laparotomy. Two cases of benign pneumoperitoneum associated with pneumomediastinum and pneumoretroperitoneum are presented.

[New computerized tomography sign of intestinal infarction: isolated pneumoretroperitoneum or associated with pneumoperitoneum or late findings of intestinal infarction]. / Nuovo segno di infarto intestinale con Tomografia Computerizzata: pneumoretroperitoneo isolato o associato a pneumoperitoneo o a segni tardivi di infarto intestinale.

INTRODUCTION: We retrospectively reviewed the CT findings of the acute abdomen patients examined in the last two years to investigate the frequency of a new CT sign of intestinal infarction, the pneumoretroperitoneum, and its association with other CT findings highly suggestive of this condition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The CT findings of 60 patients with diagnostic confirmation of intestinal infarction were retrospectively reviewed. CT was performed without (no. = 55) and with (no. = 5) oral administration of contrast material and without (no. = 3) and with (no. = 57) the i.v. injection of nonionic contrast agents in repeated 50 mL boluses. To assess the specificity of this sign, we selected a control group of 400 patients submitted to CT for acute abdomen, but not blunt trauma; 19 of these patients had pneumoretroperitoneum. RESULTS: Pneumoperitoneum was found in five patients with intestinal infarction; it was an isolated sign in two cases and it was associated with few small perihepatic air bubbles in one case. Finally, it was associated with highly suggestive findings of late intestinal infarction in the other two cases. All cases of pneumoretroperitoneum in the control group had been correctly referred to other diseases by previous plain film and/or CT findings and surgery and/or endoscopy confirmed this diagnosis. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Pneumoretroperitoneum has been described as a complication of different benign or severe disorders; prompt recognition of its origin is essential since surgical and/or septic conditions may be involved. However, if the patient's history is negative for abdominal trauma, gastroduodenal ulcer or sepsis, pneumoretroperitoneum is generally cured with conservative treatment. Intestinal infarction or severe ischemia, a usually surgical conditions, should be considered among the different causes of pneumoretroperitoneum alone or associated with pneumoperitoneum or with highly suggestive late findings of infarction such as portal venous gas or pneumatosis intestinalis. This sign had a non-negligible incidence in intestinal infarction in our review (8.5%), but it should be known of and sought with specific window setting to enhance gas depiction on CT images to avoid false negatives.

Pneumomediastinum and pneumoretroperitoneum.

A 23-year-old man presented to the emergency department with extensive subcutaneous emphysema and severe dehydration after a prolonged self-imposed religious fast. Chest radiographs showed marked pneumomediastinum and pneumoretroperitoneum without pneumothorax. Patients are often admitted to the hospital for close observation when these findings are recognized, but this caution is generally unwarranted. This case illustrates the common occurrence of the usually benign entity of pneumomediastinum without pneumothorax.

[Retroperitoneal perforations of the colon. Apropos of 2 cases]. / Perforations coliques rétropéritonéales. A propos de 2 cas.

The retroperitoneal perforation of the colon is rare and our observations illustrate its two modes of revelation: a retroperitoneal suppuration; it must be traited quickly in order to decrease the mortality. Note that the abscess of the thigh is exceptional. Retroperitoneal perforations during colonoscopy whose treatment (initially medical) become surgical if there is no clinical improvement.

Pneumo-retroperitoneum associated with pneumatosis cystoides intestinals.

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis, a rare disease characterised by gas cysts involving portions of the intestinal tract, is obscure in its etiology and intriguing in its presentation. Amongst several theories a new concept suggest that retroperitoneal gas is a probable source of origin. Experimental studies in animals have demonstrated that air can track down the mediastinum into the retroperitoneum and thereby into the gut wall from an alveolar rupture. A case of pneumo-retroperitoneum in a patient with pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis is now reported.