Spontaneous pneumomediastinum and diabetic ketoacidosis

[Spontaneous pneumomediastinum: about 18 cases]

Le pneumomédiastin spontané se définit par la présence d'air au niveau du médiastin en l'absence de cause traumatique ou iatrogène. Son diagnostic repose sur la radiographie thoracique. Le recours à d'autres examens paracliniques, tels que la tomodensitométrie thoracique ou la fibroscopie bronchique ou digestive, s'impose parfois. L'évolution est le plus souvent favorable. Nous rapportons 18 cas de pneumomédiastin spontané, colligés au service des maladies respiratoires du CHU Ibn Rochd de Casablanca entre 2006 et 2017. Il s'agit de 13 hommes et de cinq femmes dont la moyenne d'âge était de 24 ans. La symptomatologie clinique était dominée par la douleur thoracique rétrosternale. Les circonstances de survenue du pneumomédiastin étaient des quintes de toux dans sept cas, une crise d'asthme dans cinq cas, une consommation de narguilé et des vomissements Itératifs dans deux cas chacun, un accouchement et une exacerbation d'origine bactérienne de BPCO dans un cas chacun. L'évolution était favorable dans tous les cas avec une résorption spontanée du pneumomédiastin. Aucune récidive n'est survenue après un recul moyen de 3 ans.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum: experience in 18 adult patients

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is defined as the presence of air in the mediastinum, developing in the absence of traumatic, iatrogenic, or preceding pulmonary pathologies (emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and lung cancer). The aim of this study was to review our experiences with SPM, underlining its symptomatology, diagnosis, treatment, and followup, and defining a reasonable course of assessment and management. A retrospective case series was conducted to identify adult patients with SPM who were diagnosed and treated in our institution between 1998 and 2005. Eighteen patients (10 males) were identified (average age = 25 +/- 4.8 years). Acute onset of chest pain was the predominant symptom at presentation. All patients developed clinically evident subcutaneous emphysema and underwent chest computerized tomography. Fiber bronchoscopy and echocardiogram were used selectively (8 patients). The average hospital stay was 6 (+/-1.4) days. Sixteen patients were conservatively treated, and only two patients were treated with thoracic drainage due to a related pneumothorax. The disease followed a benign evolution in all patients and, as of today, no relapse has been reported. SPM is an uncommon pathology with a usually benign course. The authors discuss SPM. A diagnostic algorithmic approach is necessary to rule out severe secondary entities and consequences that need urgent treatment.

Pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, and epidural pneumatosis in DKA

Pneumomediastinum (PM) is an uncommon condition characterized by the presence of air in the mediastinum. It is associated with alveolar rupture that allows air to traverse along the bronchovascular bundle into the mediastinum. A review of the world medical literature identified 50 additional cases of PM and pneumopericardium (PC) associated with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). We report the occurrence of PM, PC, as well as epidural pneumatosis occurring simultaneously in a patient with DKA. Epidural pneumatosis in association with this metabolic derangement has not been previously described.

[Spontaneous pneumomediastinum in an adolescent: an underestimated cause of chest pain]

CASE REPORT

A case of mediastinal emphysema occurring without etiologic factor except a Valsalva's manoeuvre a few hours before admission in a 15-year-old boy is reported. Symptoms were cervical and chest pain with moderate dysphagia. Diagnosis was confirmed by palpating subcutaneous air in the neck region and mediastinal air on a chest roentgenogram. A CT scan was performed to exclude a concurrent pneumothorax. The patient recovered with bed rest.

CONCLUSION

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum results from nontraumatic, mediastinal air leakage without underlying lung disease. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chest pain, especially in healthy adolescents and young adults; it is certainly underdiagnosed in this population.