[Duodenal ulcer presenting as pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax -- case report]

Haemorrhage, penetration and perforation are common complications of peptic ulcers. Free intraabdominal air is seen in 80 % after perforation. Penetration into the retroperitoneum with pneumothorax and mediastinal emphysema are rarely observed. We report the case of a 85-year-old female patient with nausea, vomiting and little appetite. During endoscopy of the upper GI-tract she complained about progressive dyspnea. Chest X-ray revealed mediastinal emphysema and pneumothorax. When performing laparotomy, we found a duodenal ulcer, that had penetrated the retroperitoneal space. The patient underwent partial gastrectomy and reconstruction with Billroth-II anastomosis. The postoperative course was uneventful.