Cervical surgical emphysema: a rare presentation of a sigmoid colon retroperitoneal diverticular perforation.

Spontaneous retroperitoneal sigmoid diverticular perforation presenting as subcutaneous cervical emphysema is rare. We describe a case successfully treated by surgery. Patients presenting with subcutaneous emphysema with negative thoracic findings should be scrutinised for signs of retroperitoneal hollow viscus perforation to improve their outcome.