Leg pain: an uncommon presentation of perforated diverticular disease

Five cases of perforated diverticular disease are described in which pain in the thigh or leg was the predominant symptom. In four patients pyrexia or leucocytosis were present and three patients ultimately developed surgical emphysema in the left thigh. In retroperitoneal perforation of the colon, the symptoms in the leg may overshadow those in the abdomen and lead to delay in diagnosis.