[Post-traumatic subcutaneous emphysema--misdiagnosed as gas gangrene].

Two cases of subcutaneous emphysema which developed after minor trauma are presented. One patient had a wound on the tip of the olecranon, and the other an interdigital wound. Both cases were misdiagnosed as gas gangrene, and treated with surgical revision and antibiotics. Neither necrosis nor bacteria were found. Both cases of emphysema were believed to be due to the pumping effect of the movement of the limbs.