Subcutaneous Emphysema Caused by an Extraperitoneal Diverticulum Perforation: Description of Two Rare Cases and Review of the Literature

The onset of colon diverticular disease is a frequent event, with a prevalence that increases with age. Amongst possible complications, free peritoneal perforation with abscess formation may occur. We herein describe two rare presentations of an extraperitoneal sigmoid diverticulum perforation. Our...

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Main Authors: Gael Kuhn, Jean Bruno Lekeufack, Michael Chilcott, Zacharia Mbaidjol
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2018-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Surgery
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/3030869
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author Gael Kuhn
Jean Bruno Lekeufack
Michael Chilcott
Zacharia Mbaidjol
author_facet Gael Kuhn
Jean Bruno Lekeufack
Michael Chilcott
Zacharia Mbaidjol
author_sort Gael Kuhn
collection DOAJ
description The onset of colon diverticular disease is a frequent event, with a prevalence that increases with age. Amongst possible complications, free peritoneal perforation with abscess formation may occur. We herein describe two rare presentations of an extraperitoneal sigmoid diverticulum perforation. Our first patient, an 89-year-old female with no signs of distress, developed a subcutaneous abscess and emphysema in an incisional hernia following an appendectomy through a McBurney incision. The second patient, an 82-year-old female, was in general distress at the time of her admission and had a more advanced infection following the occurrence of a sigmoid perforation in a hernial sac. Complicated diverticulitis has a known course and evolution, but with an extraperitoneal presentation, this etiology is not expected. A computed tomography (CT) scan should be completed if the patient is hemodynamically stable, and wide debridement should be performed. Subcutaneous emphysema with an acute abdomen may be a sign of sigmoid perforation. Clinicians should keep this etiology in mind, regardless of the initial presentation.
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spelling doaj-art-347a712a048346d38bb288a9dc90099d2025-08-20T02:24:05ZengWileyCase Reports in Surgery2090-69002090-69192018-01-01201810.1155/2018/30308693030869Subcutaneous Emphysema Caused by an Extraperitoneal Diverticulum Perforation: Description of Two Rare Cases and Review of the LiteratureGael Kuhn0Jean Bruno Lekeufack1Michael Chilcott2Zacharia Mbaidjol3Hôpital Fribourgeois Riaz, Rue de l’Hôpital 9, Case Postale 70, Riaz, 1632 Fribourg, SwitzerlandHôpital Fribourgeois Riaz, Rue de l’Hôpital 9, Case Postale 70, Riaz, 1632 Fribourg, SwitzerlandHôpital Fribourgeois Riaz, Rue de l’Hôpital 9, Case Postale 70, Riaz, 1632 Fribourg, SwitzerlandHôpital Fribourgeois Riaz, Rue de l’Hôpital 9, Case Postale 70, Riaz, 1632 Fribourg, SwitzerlandThe onset of colon diverticular disease is a frequent event, with a prevalence that increases with age. Amongst possible complications, free peritoneal perforation with abscess formation may occur. We herein describe two rare presentations of an extraperitoneal sigmoid diverticulum perforation. Our first patient, an 89-year-old female with no signs of distress, developed a subcutaneous abscess and emphysema in an incisional hernia following an appendectomy through a McBurney incision. The second patient, an 82-year-old female, was in general distress at the time of her admission and had a more advanced infection following the occurrence of a sigmoid perforation in a hernial sac. Complicated diverticulitis has a known course and evolution, but with an extraperitoneal presentation, this etiology is not expected. A computed tomography (CT) scan should be completed if the patient is hemodynamically stable, and wide debridement should be performed. Subcutaneous emphysema with an acute abdomen may be a sign of sigmoid perforation. Clinicians should keep this etiology in mind, regardless of the initial presentation.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/3030869
spellingShingle Gael Kuhn
Jean Bruno Lekeufack
Michael Chilcott
Zacharia Mbaidjol
Subcutaneous Emphysema Caused by an Extraperitoneal Diverticulum Perforation: Description of Two Rare Cases and Review of the Literature
Case Reports in Surgery
title Subcutaneous Emphysema Caused by an Extraperitoneal Diverticulum Perforation: Description of Two Rare Cases and Review of the Literature
title_full Subcutaneous Emphysema Caused by an Extraperitoneal Diverticulum Perforation: Description of Two Rare Cases and Review of the Literature
title_fullStr Subcutaneous Emphysema Caused by an Extraperitoneal Diverticulum Perforation: Description of Two Rare Cases and Review of the Literature
title_full_unstemmed Subcutaneous Emphysema Caused by an Extraperitoneal Diverticulum Perforation: Description of Two Rare Cases and Review of the Literature
title_short Subcutaneous Emphysema Caused by an Extraperitoneal Diverticulum Perforation: Description of Two Rare Cases and Review of the Literature
title_sort subcutaneous emphysema caused by an extraperitoneal diverticulum perforation description of two rare cases and review of the literature
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/3030869
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