Subcutaneous Emphysema and Pneumomediastinum Due to Foreign Body Aspiration

Abstract

Pneumomediastinum is a result of perforation of the tracheobronchial tree. When air enters the interstitial space, air diffuses along the perivascular sheaths toward the mediastinum. If an air leak persists, subcutaneous emphysema occurs owing to the continuous leakage of air. Foreign body aspiration rarely causes pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema. Removal of the foreign body results in a resorption of air and the resolution of symptoms. Here, we present a rare case of foreign body aspiration in a 2-year-old patient who presented with pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema.

Eyelid Swelling, an Unusual Presentation of Pneumomediastinum

“…There were only 5 cases of recurrent orbital cholesterol granulomas. [1][2][3][4][5] However, the rate of recurrent cholesterol granuloma of the petrous apex, the common area in the head and neck region, was reported in up to approximately 30% of the study patients. 6 This could be because exposing a tumor of the petrous apex is more difficult than that of the orbit, which emphasizes the importance of the…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Another case of rare, recurrent cholesterol granuloma is reported and the treatment considerations discussed. Prior to the study, approval from the Institutional Review Board at Asan Medical Center was obtained.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] MRI has facilitated the preoperative diagnosis of cholesterol granuloma because of its typical findings. On T1-and T2-weighted images, it is seen as a nonenhancing lesion with high signal intensity due to its high lipid cholesterol content, and it does not have sclerotic margins.…”

Asymptomatic pneumomediastinum resulting from air in the epidural space -a case report-

“…Secondary or acquired pneumomediastinum occurs due to air movement from the airway, lung or bowel to the chest cavity causing physical damage. It can be caused by chest trauma, endotracheal or esophageal procedures, or mechanical ventilation [4]. However, as in this case, secondary pneumomediastinum caused by epidural air following an epidural injection is rarely reported.…”

Peanut aspiration leading to pneumorrhachis in a pre-schooler

“…Although documented earlier, PM and SE secondary to FBA are very rare events. The association of FBA with pneumorrhachis is rarer still, with only one documented case of the same till date 3. We chose to report this case to highlight the diagnostic challenge the child had posed to us at presentation, which could only be confirmed due to a high index of suspicion.…”