Spontaneous pneumomediastinum and bilateral subcutaneous emphysema; a rare case presentation in Asthmatic patient

Abstract

The presence of free air or gas in the mediastinal structures and the pericardial sac without a clear precipitating cause is known as spontaneous mediastinal emphysema (pneumomediastinum) and pneumopericardium. Young, healthy persons without a major  underlying lung condition are less likely to experience it. Here, we presented a 15-year-old female known asthmatic patient with sudden  onset of shortness of breath, dry cough, and swelling over the neck down to the abdomen. This patient was managed with asthmatic  medication and oxygen conservatively and discharged from the hospital with significant improvement. Spontaneous  pneumomediastinum should be taken into consideration after excluding common illnesses when a youngster complains of chest pain or tightness. Clinical characteristics and a chest CT scan can be used to diagnose SPM. Most patients with spontaneous  pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema had mild to moderate sequelae and responded well to conservative therapy.