RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Benign surgical emphysema of the hand and upper limb: gas is not always gangrene—a report of two cases
JF Emergency Medicine Journal
JO Emerg Med J
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and the British Association for Accident & Emergency Medicine
SP 798
OP 799
DO 10.1136/emj.2007.046755
VO 24
IS 11
A1 Fox, A
A1 Sheick, H
A1 Ekwobi, C
A1 Ho-Asjoe, M
YR 2007
UL http://emj.bmj.com/content/24/11/798.abstract
AB Subcutaneous emphysema of the hand can result from benign causes. Differentiating this from emphysema caused by gas-forming organisms is essential in the acute stages of presentation as the management differs considerably. We present two cases of benign surgical emphysema and highlight the importance of distinguishing between this and gas gangrene. A considered history and the absence of systemic features associated with benign causes of subcutaneous air will prevent unnecessary surgical exploration.