[Spontaneous rupture of the rectum. Contribution of CT scan. Apropos of a case]

We report a case of spontaneous rupture of the rectosigmoid junction demonstrated by surgical and histological examination. This rare complication of chronic constipation is difficult to confirm except in the case of the typical clinical presentation with lower abdominal pain after defaecation and evisceration of small intestine loops through the anus. No radiological procedure is usually performed except for plain abdominal radiograph, to demonstrate inconstant (retro)peritoneal emphysema. CT scan could detect free air outside of the rectosigmoid lumen, suggesting parietal rupture and allowing appropriate surgical treatment on the lower digestive tract.