• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1150-1154
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• 1995

Pneumomediastinum[Mediastinal emphysema is characterized by the presence of air in the mediastinum, and classified as spontaneous[occurring without obvious cause or secondary[caused by a trauma or artificial ventilation . To study the clinical evaluation of pneumomediastinum, data were obtained from 20 patients. The incidences of spontaneous pneumomedisastinum were 5 and those of secondary pneumomedistinum were 15 cases. The mean age was 21.2$\pm$3.4 years[$\pm$SD in spontaneous pneumomediastinum and 44.1$\pm$20.0 years[$\pm$SD in secondary pneumomediastinum. There were 16 male and 4 female patients. The common presenting compliants were retrosternal pain in 19 patients[95% , dyspnea in 12[60% , and hoarsness in 2[10% . The predisposing factors were asthma,excessive exercise and vomiting in spontaneous pneumomediastinum;trauma, artificial ventilation, tracheostomy, the rupture of trachea or esophagus in secondary pneumomediastinum. The physical findings were subcutaneous emphysema in 17 patients[85% , Hamman`s sign in 11 patients[55% and decreased cardiac dullness in 2 patients[10% . Spontaneous pneumomediastinums were managed conservatively, however, surigical procedures were needed in secondary pneumomediastinums. There was no recurrence, but one patinet died of tension pneumomedistinum. We concluded that spontaneous pneumomediastinum is uncommon, usually benign, and self-limited and secondary pneumomedistinum due to trauma or artificial ventilation is more increasing, and necessitates the early, aggressive intervention.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.375-377
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• 2003

Pneumomediastinum, also referred to as mediastinal emphysema or Hamman's syndrome, is defined as the presence of air or gas within the fascial planes of the mediastinum. Superior extension of air into the cervicofacial subcutaneous space via communications between the mediastinum and cervical fascial planes or spaces occurs occasionally, Pneumomediastinum frequently results from blunt tracheobronchial lesions and esophageal injuries. However, in most cases, the origin of pneumomediastinum remains unclear. an some cases, it is attributed to the Macklin effect. We report a case of patient with pneumomediastinum, that presented with Macklin effect on chest computed tomographic scan.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.58-62
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• 2004

Spontaneous rupture of the pulmonary alveoli after a sudden increase intra-alveolar pressure is a common cause of pneumomediastinum, which is usually seen in healthy young men. Other common causes are traumatic and iatrogenic rupture of the airway and esophagus; however, pneumomediastinum following cervicofacial emphysema is much rarer and is occasionally found after dental surgical procedures, head and neck surgery, or accidental trauma. We present two cases of pneumomediastinum following cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema after oral trauma. They constitute an uncommon clinical entity, So its radiologic appearance, clinical presentation, and diagnosis are described.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.33-36
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• 2016

Cervical emphysema and Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is an uncommon disease. Cervical emphysema is mainly caused by trauma or head and neck surgery. Here, we report a case of cervical emphysema and spontaneous pneumomediastinum in a 15-year-old man. This case emphasizes that cervical swelling patients with negative inflammation findings should be scrutinized for cervical emphysema and spontaneous pneumomediastinum.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.138-143
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• 2008

Pneumatosis intestinalis or spontaneous pneumomediastinum are rarely associated with nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). However, the development of both conditions in the same patient simultaneously has not been reported previously. A 56-year-old man with NSIP developed spontaneous pneumomediastinum accompanied by subcutaneous emphysema and pneumatosis intestinalis after the treatment with intravenous high dose steroid. The development of spontaneous pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema and pneumatosis intestinalis in this patient was possibly due to the factors such as NSIP, high dose steroid therapy and subclinical dermatomyositis. Treatment with corticosteroid and cyclosporin gradually improved his exacerbated NSIP and pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema, pneumatosis intestinalis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.144-148
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• 2008

Tracheomegaly is a distinctive condition that presents with marked dilation of the trachea. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is the result of alveolar rupture with dissection of the airway along the bronchus and into the mediastinum. Tracheomegaly and recurrent spontaneous pneumomediastinum are rare complications of pulmonary fibrosis when combined with rheumatoid arthritis. We present a case of tracheomegaly and recurrent spontaneous pneumomediastinum that was precipitated by repeated respiratory infection and chronic cough in a patient with pulmonary fibrosis that was associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.569-571
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• 2014

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a very uncommon entity that is defined as the presence of free air in the mediastinum without an obvious etiology. The presence of air in the spinal canal, known as concurrent pneumorrhachis, is an extremely rare epiphenomenon of spontaneous pneumomediastinum. We report a rare case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum with pneumorrhachis associated with influenza. The patient was diagnosed without invasive procedures, was managed with supportive treatment, and recovered without any complications.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.73 no.3
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• pp.169-173
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• 2012

Background: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a rare and benign condition that generally occurs in young generations without any precipitating factor or underlying disease. The purpose of this study is to review our experience in dealing with this entity and detail a reasonable course of assessment and management. Methods: From December 1999 to May 2012, 32 spontaneous pneumomediastinum patients were managed in our hospital. We retrospectively reviewed the result of management. Results: Patients ranged in age from 10 to 38 years, with the mean age of $18.3{\pm}5.6$ years. Twenty-five patients were men and seven were women. Initial WBC count was $10,039{\pm}2,993/{\mu}L$ and thirty-one patients underwent computed tomography. Twenty-two patients underwent esophagography and results were shown to be normal. Twenty-five patients were admitted in the hospital and the mean duration of admission was $3.4{\pm}2.0$ days. All patients were managed conservatively and discharged without any complications. Conclusion: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a benign condition combined with mild inflammatory signs and secondary causes must to excluded to avoid unfavorable outcomes and select proper management modality.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.246-250
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• 2010

Mediastinal emphysema, also referred to as pneumomediastinum or Hamman's syndrome, is defined as the presence of air or gas within the fascial planes of the mediastinum. Superior extension of air into the cervicofacial subcutaneous space via communications between the mediastinum and cervical fascial planes or spaces occurs occasionally. The mediastinal air may originate from the respiratory tract, the intrathoracic airway, the lung parenchyma, or the gastrointestinal tract. The presence of air in the mediastinum may be spontaneous, iatrogenic or due to penetrating trauma. Pneumothorax is defined as the presence of air or gas within the pleural cavity. A pneumothorax can occur spontaneously. It can also occur as the result of a disease or injury to the lung or due to a puncture to the chest wall. Pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax is a rare complication of head and neck surgery. Nevertheless, when it occurs, it is usually considered to result from direct dissection by the air at the time of injury or of surgery. Most of the cases of pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax that have been described in the oral and maxillofacial surgery literature result from air dissecting down the fascial planes of the neck. The authors report a case with subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax after orthognathic surgery.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.171-176
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• 2021

Pneumomediastinum is a very rare and potentially catastrophic complication of dental procedures. Its common causes are tooth extraction, endodontic treatment, and subgingival curettage using handpieces and high-pressure air/water syringes. We present a case of massive pneumomediastinum with subcutaneous emphysema in a 61-year-old female who underwent bone grafting into the maxilla for pretreatment of dental implantation using a syringe. The patient suffered from abrupt severe odynophagia and loss of consciousness. The patient transferred to emergency department and images work-up revealed a pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema on the entire face and neck. We performed conservative treatments including prophylactic antibiotics, oxygen inhalation, and fasting meals, and then discharge after 7 days uneventfully. The patient's syncope might be resulting from hypotension and pain shock induced by pneumomediastinum with a sudden chest compression. The pneumomediastinum could be resulting from concurrent perforation and massive air infiltration into the maxillary sinus during bone grafting. We suggest that pneumomediastinum needs prompt diagnosis and management because of the risk of airway obstruction when a patient present syncope in the dental room.