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Query: UMLS:C0031154 (peritonitis)
 15,372 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Left colon perforation usually occurs in complicated diverticulitis or cancer. The most frequent signs are intraperitoneal abscess or peritonitis. In cases of retroperitoneal colonic perforation, diagnosis may be difficult. A 59-year-old woman presented with left thigh pain and with abdominal discomfort associated with mild dyspnea. Computed tomography scan showed air bubbles and purulent collection in the retroperitoneum, with subcutaneous emphysema extending from the left thigh to the neck. Computed tomography scan also revealed portal vein gas and thrombosis with multiple liver abscesses. An emergency laparotomy revealed a perforation of the proximal left colon. No masses were found. A left colectomy was performed. The retroperitoneum was drained and washed extensively. A negative pressure wound therapy was applied. A second-look laparotomy was performed 48 hours later. The retroperitoneum was drained and an end colostomy was performed. Intensive Care Unit postoperative stay was 9 days, and the patient was discharged on the 32nd postoperative day. Pneumoretroperitoneum and pneumomediastinum are rare signs of colonic retroperitoneal perforation. The diagnosis may be delayed, especially in the absence of peritoneal irritation. Clinical, laboratory, and especially radiologic parameters might be useful. Surgical treatment must be prompt to improve prognosis.
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PMID:Pneumoretroperitoneum and Pneumomediastinum Revealing a Left Colon Perforation. 2641 18

The incidence of colon ischemia has increased in recent years, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The typical presentations of colon ischemia include abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and in severe case, ileus, fever and peritonitis. Here, we document a rare case of colon ischemia presenting with subcutaneous and intramuscular emphysema of the thigh. A 76-year-old woman presented to the emergency department for left thigh pain for three days. Physical examination revealed tenderness without obvious crepitus, erythema or swelling over the left groin area and a soft abdomen without tenderness. Plain abdominal film showed abnormal gas formation at the left thigh and chest film demonstrated subphrenic free air. Abdominal computer tomography found sigmoid perforation causing left retroperitoneal abscess, and subcutaneous and intramuscular emphysema over the left pelvic and thigh region. During operation, irreversible ischemia from the terminal ileum through the cecum to the sigmoid colon with gangrene and retroperitoneal abscess were found. Total colectomy with end ileostomy and peritoneal toilet were performed. However, massive bloody ascites from abdominal drainage developed on the 13th day of admission. She later passed away due to hemorrhagic shock. In conclusion, emphysema of the thigh may rarely be caused by an intestinal lesion, such as colon ischemia. Clinicians should be alert of these unusual presentations to find the hidden underlying etiologies.
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PMID:Thigh emphysema as the initial presentation of colon ischemia. 2929 May 6