Spontaneous extraperitoneal rupture of the rectum

Abstract

SUMMARY
Spontaneous extraperitoneal “rupture” of the rectum is an
extremely rare event not previously documented in the literature.
We report the case of a 70 year-old lady who presented
with intense lower abdominal pain. No predisposing
or provoking factors were found in our patient despite
detailed questioning apart from chronic constipation. A
sudden increase of intraabdominal pressure was presumed
to be the cause of rectal rupture.
Key words: spontaneous, repture, perforation, rectum, sigmoid
colon