scholarly journals Comparison of spontaneous and secondary pneumomediastinum

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natsuki Kawata ◽  
Kohichiro Yoshie ◽  
Fumihiro Oshita

Pneumomediastinum (PM) is an uncommon event defined as the presence of free air in the mediastinum. Its clinical picture includes retrosternal chest pain, subcutaneous emphysema, dyspnea, dysphagia, dysphonia and asthenia. PM is further divided into two groups of patients: spontaneous PM, without any obvious primary source, and secondary PM, with a specific responsible pathologic event, such as trauma, intrathoracic infections, violation of the aerodigestive track or others. We retrospectively examined and compared backgrounds, onset, treatments and outcomes of ten and 5 patients in spontaneous and secondary PM.

Case reports ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-69
Author(s):  
María Fernanda Ochoa-Ariza ◽  
Jorge Luis Trejos-Caballero ◽  
Cristian Mauricio Parra-Gelves ◽  
Marly Esperanza Camargo-Lozada ◽  
Marlon Adrián Laguado-Nieto

Introduction: Pneumomediastinum is defined as the presence of air in the mediastinal cavity. This is a rare disease caused by surgical procedures, trauma or spontaneous scape of air from the lungs; asthma is a frequently associated factor. It has extensive differential diagnoses due to its symptoms and clinical signs.Case presentation: A 17-year-old female patient presented with respiratory symptoms for 2 days, dyspnea, chest pain radiated to the neck and shoulders, right supraclavicular subcutaneous emphysema, wheezing in both lung fields, tachycardia and tachypnea. On admission, laboratory tests revealed leukocytosis and neutrophilia, and chest X-ray showed subcutaneous emphysema in the right supraclavicular region. Diagnosis of pneumomediastinum was confirmed through a CT scan of the chest. The patient was admitted for treatment with satisfactory evolution.Discussion: Pneumomediastinum occurs mainly in young patients with asthma, and is associated with its exacerbation. This condition can cause other complications such as pneumopericardium, as in this case. The course of the disease is usually benign and has a good prognosis.Conclusion: Because of its presentation, pneumomediastinum requires clinical suspicion to guide the diagnosis and treatment. In this context, imaging is fundamental.


2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meen Raj Pathak ◽  
Disuja Shakya

Pneumopericardium may be defined as the presence of air within pericardial cavity which results due to spontaneous or iatrogenic cause. It is rare but life threatening entity, commonly caused by respiratory distress syndrome and vigorous resuscitation, in the paediatric population. Although, pneumopericardium is often asymptomatic, it may cause chest pain, dyspnoea and subcutaneous emphysema. The course of pneumopericardium is usually benign and self-limited. Treatment is crucial in tension pneumopericardium, a complication of pneumopericardium. Here, we report a case of pneumopericardium in a nine month old male child after vigorous resuscitation and intubation for respiratory distress syndrome. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v34i2.11152 J Nepal Paediatr Soc 2014;34(2):163-165


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Gungadeen ◽  
J. Moor

Objective. To present a rare case of extensive subcutaneous emphysema and spontaneous pneumomediastinum following ingestion of Ecstasy in a young adult. We also review the relevant literature and discuss how this case supplements it.Case Report. We report a case of a 19-year-old man with a history of painless neck and chest swelling, and no chest pain or breathlessness, after consuming Ecstasy tablets. Radiological imaging showed evidence of pneumomediastinum and extensive subcutaneous emphysema. The patient remained well under observation and his symptoms improved with conservative management.Conclusions. Subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum after Ecstasy ingestion is uncommon. Cases are often referred to the otolaryngologist as they can present with neck and throat symptoms. Our case showed that the severity of symptoms may not correlate with severity of the anatomical abnormality and that pneumomediastinum should be suspected in Ecstasy users who present with neck swelling despite the absence of chest symptoms. Although all cases reported so far resolved with conservative management, it is important to perform simple investigations to exclude coexisting serious pathology.


2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-53
Author(s):  
Manilal Aich Litu ◽  
Nurul Karim Chowdhury ◽  
Mohammad Amzad Hossain ◽  
Abdullah Al Mamun ◽  
Mashuque Mahmud ◽  
...  

Tonsillectomy is considered as a relatively safe procedure. This report aimed at describing an uncommon complication of this surgical procedure - subcutaneous emphysema. A 12 years old girl admitted for tonsillectomy operation. After routine preoperative assessment her operation was performed under general anesthesia. Surgery was uneventful. 7-8 hours after surgery, during follow-up in postoperative room progressing subcutaneous emphysema was noticed which initially involved the neck. But later on, it extended upper chest, upper arms, face & back. Crepitus swelling of neck and bilateral parotid region, typical of subcutaneous emphysema was noted. Chest X ray showed free air in the cervical regions reaching upper mediastinum. There was no airway obstruction and patient’s general condition was stable. Emphysema was no longer clinically evident 3 days after & patient was released. Subcutaneous emphysema is an uncommon complication of tonsillectomy, appearing almost ever after deeper dissections of the pharyngeal mucosa, when a porous surface is created, thus providing a route for the entry of air. Increased upper airway pressure may contribute to this injury.J. Paediatr. Surg. Bangladesh 3(1): 51-53, 2012 (January)


Author(s):  
Shanees. E

Hamman’s syndrome is a potentially life-threatening clinical condition characterized by peripartum subcutaneous emphysema and pneumo mediastinum. This obstetric complication typically occurs in late pregnancy and labor and is frequently observed in young healthy primi parous women.1. Excessive Valsalva maneuver during vaginal delivery and excessive retching, coughing, and straining are frequently reported causes2. Subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum in labour and delivery is a rare but potentially serious occurrence that must be identified and managed appropriately to avoid unnecessary investigations and interventions. Published reports indicate that subsequent pregnancies pose no additional risk for recurrence3.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuğba Atmaca Temrel ◽  
Alp Şener ◽  
Ferhat İçme ◽  
Gül Pamukçu Günaydın ◽  
Şervan Gökhan ◽  
...  

Introduction. The most prominent complications of cocaine use are adverse effects in the cardiovascular and central nervous systems. Free air in the mediastinum and subcutaneous tissue may be observed less frequently, whereas free air in the spinal canal (pneumorrhachis) is a very rare complication of cocaine abuse. In this report we present a case of pneumorrhachis that developed after cocaine use.Case. A 28-year-old male patient was admitted to the emergency department with shortness of breath, chest pain, and swelling in the neck and face which started four hours after he had sniffed cocaine. On physical examination, subcutaneous crepitations were felt with palpation of the jaw, neck, and upper chest area. Diffuse subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and pneumorrhachis were detected in the computed tomography imaging. The patient was treated conservatively and discharged uneventfully.Discussion. Complications such as pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and pneumoperitoneum that are associated with cocaine use may be seen due to increased intrathoracic pressure. The air then may flow into the spinal canal resulting in pneumorrhachis. Emergency physicians should know the possible complications of cocaine use and be prepared for rare complications such as pneumorrhachis.


2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Nicola Scichilone ◽  
Maria Buttacavoli ◽  
Gaetana Camarda ◽  
Margherita Marchese ◽  
Maria Bellia ◽  
...  

We describe the case of an adolescent who was admitted to the hospital because of sudden occurrence of chest pain, dyspnea and subcutaneous emphysema. On admission, physical examination revealed subcutaneous crepitations in the superior part of the rib cage, and auscultation of the chest showed widespread wheezing. The radiological assessment confirmed the diagnosis of pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax. A follow-up CT scan performed one week after the admission showed almost complete resolution of the radiological alterations. At the following visits, the patient was asymptomatic, but reported to have suffered from frequent episodes of rhinorrea, sneezing, nasal blockage, and sometimes, chest tightness, especially during exposure to pets and/or windy weather. Skin prick testing showed sensitivities to dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and farinae, grass pollen and dog dander. Spirometry documented significant improvement in lung function after short-acting bronchodilator, allowing for the diagnosis of asthma to be made. Although pneumomediastinum may be a complication of various respiratory diseases, including asthma, it has never been reported as the first presentation of underlying bronchial asthma. Herein, the physiopathological mechanisms, the diagnostic procedures and treatment of pneumomediastinum in asthma are discussed. We suggest that the diagnosis of asthma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pneumomediastinum in adolescence.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Spapen ◽  
J. De Regt ◽  
K. Nieboer ◽  
G. Verfaillie ◽  
P. M. Honoré ◽  
...  

Boerhaave's syndrome is a rare but potentially fatal condition characterised by a transmural tear of the distal oesophagus induced by a sudden increase in pressure. Diagnosis is challenging as the classic triad of vomiting, abdominal or chest pain, and subcutaneous emphysema is absent in many patients. Management is multidisciplinary and relies on rapid, distinct, and repeated imaging. Treatment has not been standardised and may be conservative, endoscopic, or surgical. We present a typical case which illustrates possible diagnostic pitfalls and the therapeutic conundrum surrounding management of the syndrome. Based on time of presentation and eventual presence of sepsis, a therapeutic algorithm is proposed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Oliva C ◽  

Hereby, the case of a low obstetrical risk nulliparous 25-years-old woman, presenting with chest pain and subcutaneous emphysema on face, neck and sternum four hours after spontaneous vaginal delivery has been reported.


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