Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2010 | Case report
Pneumomediastinum as a complication of emphysematous cholecystitis: Case report
Published in: BMC Gastroenterology | Issue 1/2010
Login to get accessAbstract
Background
Emphysematous cholecystitis is a variant of acute cholecystitis which is generally caused by gas-forming organisms. Emphysematous cholecystitis may cause gas spreading within the subcutaneous tissue, peritoneal cavity and retroperitoneum.
Case presentation
We present a case of emphysematous cholecystitis in a middle-aged diabetic patient who, postoperatively, presented edema in both flanks and left chest crepitation on palpation, associated with hemodynamic worsening. Computed tomography scan of the chest and abdomen revealed a large pneumomediastinum, pneumoretroperitoneum, gas in subcutaneous tissue and flank abscesses. In both blood and surgical wound exudate cultures, Escherichia coli was found.
Conclusion
Emphysematous cholecystitis should be considered as a possible cause of pneumomediastinum.