Surgical resection of colorectal carcinoma is the only curative treatment currently available. In the elective setting peri-operative mortality is low and refinements in surgical technique and peri-operative care have resulted in high primary anastamosis rates and progressively reduced postoperative morbidity. In those presenting with large bowel obstruction the mortality and morbidity remains high. Many of those undergoing surgery will have incurable disease and a short life expectancy. Increasingly self-expanding metal stents are being deployed as either a 'bridge to surgery' or for palliation. This review covers the imaging appearances, detection and management of complications of colonic stenting.

Gout is a metabolic disorder typically affecting the peripheral joints, more commonly in males. Spinal involvement is uncommon and is usually associated with hyperuricemia. We present the imaging findings of a case of spinal gout in a female patient with no previous history of hyperuricaemia, involving multiple spinal segments.

We report an unusual case of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD)-related pelvic actinomyces infection presenting as an incarcerated inguinal hernia. An emergency laparotomy showed the presence of pyometra with large abscesses, involving both fallopian tubes and the right ovary with pyometra tracking down the left psoas into the groin, giving a clinical and radiological appearance of an incarcerated hernia. Subsequent results obtained from investigations showed the presence of actinomyces-like organisms on the patient's smear related to an IUCD.

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Pneumoperitoneum presenting as air under diaphragm on erect chest X-ray is usually a result of hollow viscous perforation but can be a result of many other diagnoses including necrotising enterocolitis and ruptured liver abscess. We report a case of colon cancer with liver metastases presenting as pneumoperitoneum. This was a result of infection of the metastases with Clostridium septicum with resultant rupture in to sub diaphragmatic space.