Pneumoperitoneum, pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema following diagnostic colonoscopy.

and was discharged after 8 days. Colonoscopy is a common and safe diagnostic and curative procedure. The incidence of perforation is 0.19 to 0.21% and usually happens after therapeutic procedures.1 Sigmoid colon is frequently involved. Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema occurs in exceptional cases.2 The choice to perform conservative treatment or endoscopic clipping3-5 is determined by good patient condition and absence of signs of peritonitis. Surgical treatment is indicated when patient condition is poor, or has peritonitis signs.1,2,4,5 Figure 1 a) Patient with emphysema in the face and eyelids. b) Chest CT scans where you can see pneumomediastinum (arrow) and subcutaneous emphysema (double arrow). c) Abdominal CT scans where you can see pneumoperitoneum (*) and retropneumoperitoneum (**). Pneumoperitoneum, Pneumomediastinum and Subcutaneous Emphysema Following Diagnostic Colonoscopy