HighlightsDiagnosis is often difficult and delayed because clinical symptoms are not specific.The etiopathogenesis of jejuno–ileal diverticulosis is unclear.Flatulent dyspepsia = epigastric pain abdominal discomfort, flatulence one or two hours after meals.The extraluminal air develops an arrowhead-like shape surrounded by inflammatory tissue when the diverticulum is perforated.In the presence of complications, surgical resection with reestablishment of the bowel continuity is the preferred treatment option.

Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome is a thrombotic microangiopathy complicating pregnancy and shares many clinical and biological features with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Thrombotic microangiopathy is also a pathological feature of catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS). An association between refractory HELLP syndrome and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) has been reported in a few cases. We describe a 19-year-old woman with APS and multiorgan failure conforming to a diagnosis of CAPS who developed refractory HELLP syndrome.

INTRODUCTIONAlthough diverticular disease of the colon is frequent, perforated diverticulitis causing subcutaneous emphysema is a uncommon entity. We wish to present this extremely rare case of perforated colonic diverticulum in the subcutaneous tissue, which is the first one that we have encountered in our practice, along with the accompanying diagnostic and therapeutic issues and a review of the literature.PRESENTATION OF CASEWe report the case of an 83-year-old man who admitted to the emergency room due to an abdominal subcutaneous emphysema. Physical examination revealed a severe subcutaneous emphysema especially in the left iliac fossa and abdominal pain. An urgent contrast enhanced abdominal CT scan showed multiple diverticula in the sigmoid colon and multiple air bubbles in the subcutaneous tissue. The exploratory laparotomy identified a perforation of diverticular in subcutaneous tissue. Forty centimeters of colon were resected. The subcutaneous emphysema resolved without specific treatment. The postoperative period was uncomplicated.DISCUSSIONSubcutaneous emphysema of anterior abdomen wall is an obvious physical sign but its etiology is complex to determine and may be potentially lethal. The pathophysiological mechanism involved is the emergence of a pressure gradient between the peritoneum and surrounding structures, causing rupture of the anterior abdominal wall, allowing gas from a perforation to diffuse along tissue planes.CONCLUSIONThis physical sign may be of especial value in elderly patient groups amongst whom perforation may be less clinically obvious. General surgeons should bear in mind this rare complication of colonic diverticulosis.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the rectum is a distinct entity. Before the final choice of treatment is made, digestive surgeons should bear in mind this rare tumour.

No abstract