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Subcutaneous emphysema and pneumothorax complicating diagnostic colonoscopy

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Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Abstract

A case of subcutaneous emphysema and pneumothorax secondary to a diagnostic colonoscopy is presented. While 11 cases of retroperitoneal emphysema due to colonoscopy were identified in the literature, there are only two further reports of pneumothorax. Possible etiologic and therapeutic aspects are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr-University, Gudrunstrasse 56, D-4630, Bochum, West Germany

    Gabriele Schmidt M.D., Gereon Börsch M.D. & Martin Wegener M.D.

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  1. Gabriele Schmidt M.D.
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  2. Gereon Börsch M.D.
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  3. Martin Wegener M.D.
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Schmidt, G., Börsch, G. & Wegener, M. Subcutaneous emphysema and pneumothorax complicating diagnostic colonoscopy. Dis Colon Rectum 29, 136–138 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02555400

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02555400

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