"Ulcerative crepitus" -- a case with subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum without colonic perforation or toxic megacolon in ulcerative colitis successfully treated conservatively

A rare complication of acute severe ulcerative colitis

A 21-year-old female with ulcerative colitis presented with abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Laboratory studies revealed markedly elevated C-reactive protein and thrombocytosis. Flexible sigmoidoscopy revealed severe endoscopic activity with ulceration and spontaneous bleeding along rectum and sigmoid colon. Ulcerative colitis had been diagnosed 3 years before, presenting as severe and extensive disease (pancolitis). She had previously failed therapy with infliximab and vedolizumab and had recently started induction therapy with golimumab. She responded well to intravenous corticosteroids but, when switched to oral corticosteroids, there was symptomatic recurrence. Intravenous corticosteroids were re-started and she was evaluated for surgery. At this time, she developed new-onset tachycardia. Electrocardiogram revealed sinus tachycardia with heart rate of approximately 120 bpm. Because tachycardia could result from worsening colitis with potential serious complications, abdominal computerized tomography scan was performed and demonstrated mild lumen dilation and wall thickening consistent with acute colitis without evidence of pneumoperitoneum or toxic megacolon. Surprisingly, thoracic planes revealed the presence of free air dissecting mediastinal space (Figure 1). What is your diagnosis?

The Effective Treatment with Cyclosporine of a Ulcerative Colitis Patient with Concurrent Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Who Subsequently Developed Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum

Although extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel diseases are not uncommon, few reports have described concurrent idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is also a rare complication of ulcerative colitis (UC). This report describes the case of a 14-year-old boy who experienced recurrent ulcerative colitis 3 months after temporary improvement following treatment with prednisolone (20 mg/day) and granulocyte/monocyte adsorption apheresis. His platelet counts decreased, suggesting ITP. The dosage of prednisolone was increased to 60 mg/day; however, his thrombocytopenia did not improve and he suddenly developed pneumomediastinum. A continuous infusion of cyclosporine increased his platelet counts and improved his ulcerative colitis. Cyclosporine should be considered when steroid-resistant ITP accompanies UC.

Subcutaneous cervical emphysema and pneumomediastinum due to a diastatic rupture of the cecum

Pneumomediastinum usually occurs after esophageal or chest trauma. Subcutaneous cervical emphysema as a presentation of non-traumatic colonic perforation following colorectal cancer or diverticulitis, is very rare. We report a case of a patient with rectal cancer who developed a diastatic cecum retroperitoneal perforation with a secondary pneumomediastinum and cervical emphysema. The patient was in treatment with a neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy for a low rectal cancer. Treatment consisted in an emergency right hemi-colectomy with ileostomy and performance of distal colonic fistula. The Authors discuss the occurrence of pneumomediastinum and cervical emphysema complicating rectal cancer, pointing out ethiopathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment. The importance of performing a diverting colostomy when neoadjuvant chemotherapy is scheduled in patients with stenotic rectal cancer, although not clinically occluded.

Pneumoperitoneum, pneumoretroperitoneum, pneumomediastinum and extensive subcutaneous emphysema in a patient with ulcerative colitis: A case report

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Spontaneous non-iatrogenic pneumo-mediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema is a rare presentation.

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It is usually associated with invasive GI procedures.

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The patient presented with multiple spontaneous perforation leading to extensive spread of free air along fascial planes.

Introduction

Pneumo-mediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema are rare presentations of lower gastrointestinal tract perforation.

Presentation of case

We are presenting the case of a middle aged man diagnosed with UC who presented with dyspnea and subcutaneous emphysema, attributed to multiple perforations including the stomach and colon.

Case discussion

Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are at an increased risk of perforations due to friability of colonic mucosa given the chronic inflammation and relapsing flares. Chronic use of steroids further predisposes to stress ulcers. These pathologies sometimes coexist and identification of each is crucial for the appropriate treatment plan.

Conclusion

The case allows for a learning opportunity focusing on coexisting pathologies which may be differentiated based on anatomical knowledge and patient presentation.

Pneumomediastinum in inflammatory bowel disease

A 28-year-old man with a history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) developed sudden-onset chest pain and dyspnea 9 days after esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy. A chest radiograph demonstrated pneumomediastinum tracking along the left heart border. The spontaneous pneumomediastinum was presumed to be a complication of his severe colitis. The severity of our patient's symptoms ultimately necessitated a subtotal colectomy, a decision unrelated to the pneumomediastinum. IBD-associated pneumomediastinum can be attributed to retroperitoneal air leakage from severe colitis and usually resolves with conservative management.