A case of massive subcutaneous emphysema and transient ischemic attack due to argon plasma coagulation following endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment

Abstract

Pilonidal sinus is a small hole affecting the skin and subcutaneous tissue, which usually contains hair and skin debris, resulting in the creation of the so-called pilonidal cyst. The endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment (EPSiT) is a minimally invasive procedure consisting of the removal of hairs and cauterization of the cavity under direct endoscopic vision. In our institution, we used to end this procedure with argon plasma coagulation (APC). Here, we discuss a case of 22-year-old man affected by pilonidal disease, who developed a massive subcutaneous emphysema and suspected transient ischemic attack secondary to gas reabsorption after an EPSiT in which APC was used for the coagulation.