Pneumomediastinum: physiopathological considerations and report of six cases treated in an emergency surgery division.

Pneumomediastinum indicates the presence of air in the mediastinal space. It may be classified in three categories, based on the main causes of air dissection into the mediastinal structures: spontaneous pneumomediastinum (pnm), the most frequently encountered, post traumatic pnm and pnm secondary to non-traumatic rupture of an abdominal hollow viscus. This paper reports the experience of a major regional emergency surgery division in the management of pnm during a five years period. Physiopathologic correlations are discussed together with diagnostic and therapeutic options.

[The reappearance of gastrointestinal tuberculosis in general surgery]. / La ricomparsa della tubercolosi gastrointestinale in chirurgia generale.

Gastro-intestinal tuberculosis (TB) continues to give rise to diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Its increasing incidence and multiple and non-specificity of symptoms and signs require special attention to establish a prompt diagnosis and not to delay treatment. The authors describe on case of colonic TB presenting with multiple episodes of subocclusion suggesting a stenosing neoplasm of the caecum.