Spontaneous pneumomediastinum following coughing efforts
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34631/sporl.279Keywords:
spontaneous pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysem, chest pain, dyspnea, dysphagia, odynophagiaAbstract
We hereby share our experience with a 23-year-old patient who attended the Emergency Unit suffering from flu symptoms, as well as odynophagia, dysphagia, intense cough and dyspnea for the last 48 hours, with no response to symptomatic and usual therapy.
ENT studies found nothing remarkable but crepitation, redness and emphysema in sternal and supraclavicular área. Vague pain, too.
By means of lateral and antero-posterior neck ant thoracic simple radiography, and also CT, signs of spontaneous neumomediastinum were found: “subcutaneous neck and supraclavicular emphysema plus mediastinal extension, disecating retropharynx and deep and posterior vascular spaces”.
Supportive and symptomatic therapy was indicated, with a positive recovery.
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