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Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Jan 2018Subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema is a rare complication after tonsillectomy. This case presentation and literature review summarizes the existing literature on... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema is a rare complication after tonsillectomy. This case presentation and literature review summarizes the existing literature on this unusual complication.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study presents a case of a 21-year-old man who developed a cervical subcutaneous emphysema 6 days after tonsillectomy, whereby conservative treatment produced spontaneous resolution. A proper analysis of this case also required undertaking a systematic search in MEDLINE/PubMed and SCOPUS electronic databases concerning this rare complication, without language restrictions.
RESULTS
Based on our criteria, we identified 41 reports including 43 individual cases, in which patients were mostly young and equally distributed between the genders (18 males and 23 females, two unknown). The treatment was mainly conservative and consisted of observation and/or antibiotic therapy.
CONCLUSION
Subcutaneous or mediastinal emphysema is an uncommon complication after tonsillectomy. It is important that clinicians become aware of this rare complication, which requires a close monitoring of the patient.
PubMed: 29387658
DOI: No ID Found -
Presse Medicale (Paris, France : 1983) Mar 2017In France, cocaine is the second most commonly used illicit drug after cannabis. It can be responsible for many respiratory disorders among which pneumomediastinum. (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
In France, cocaine is the second most commonly used illicit drug after cannabis. It can be responsible for many respiratory disorders among which pneumomediastinum.
OBJECTIVES
Systematic literature review of data on pneumediastinum in cocaine users. Documentary sources. Medline, on the period 1980-2016 with the keywords "pneumomediastinum" and "cocaine" or "free-base" or "freebasing" or "crack"; limits "title/abstract"; the selected languages were English or French. Among 72 articles, 48 abstracts have given use to a dual reading to select 37 studies.
RESULTS
Thirty-five selected articles related 44 subjects (sex-ratio: 5.2) whose age ranged from 15 to 36 years. Fourteen subjects used cocaine nasally and 30 others smoked it (12 as free-base and 18 in the form of crack). Thirty-two subjects had an isolated pneumomediastinum and 12 others had a pneumomediastinum combined with other gaseous effusions (pneumothorax, pneumopericardium, pneumoperitoneum or pneumorachis). Chest pain of sudden onset in the most common symptom which is often associated with tightness or swelling of the neck; more rarely there are dyspnea and/or a dry cough. The time between taking cocaine and the onset of the symptoms varies from a few minutes to 3 days. The course is usually good with healing in 1 to 4 days.
CONCLUSION
Cocaine use may be responsible for spontaneous pneumomediastinum. Practitioners must seek cocaine use in case of pneumomediastinum in a young person and consider the diagnosis in the case of sudden chest pain in cocaine users; they must help them to stop their consumption.
Topics: Cocaine-Related Disorders; Humans; Mediastinal Emphysema
PubMed: 28189373
DOI: 10.1016/j.lpm.2017.01.002 -
Asian Cardiovascular & Thoracic Annals Feb 2022There are various reports of air leaks with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We undertook a systematic review of all published case reports and series to analyse the...
INTRODUCTION
There are various reports of air leaks with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We undertook a systematic review of all published case reports and series to analyse the types of air leaks in COVID-19 and their outcomes.
METHODS
The literature search from PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases was performed from the start of the pandemic till 31 March 2021. The inclusion criteria were case reports or series on (1) laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, (2) with the individual patient details, and (3) reported diagnosis of one or more air leak syndrome (pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, pneumoperitoneum, pneumopericardium).
RESULTS
A total of 105 studies with 188 patients were included in the final analysis. The median age was 56.02 (SD 15.53) years, 80% males, 11% had previous respiratory disease, and 8% were smokers. Severe or critical COVID-19 was present in 50.6% of the patients. Pneumothorax (68%) was the most common type of air leak. Most patients (56.7%) required intervention with lower mortality (29.1% vs. 44.1%, p = 0.07) and intercostal drain (95.9%) was the preferred interventional management. More than half of the patients developed air leak on spontaneous breathing. The mortality was significantly higher in patients who developed air leak with positive pressure ventilation (49%, p < 0.001) and required escalation of respiratory support (39%, p = 0.006).
CONCLUSION
Air leak in COVID-19 can occur spontaneously without positive pressure ventilation, higher transpulmonary pressures, and other risk factors like previous respiratory disease or smoking. The mortality is significantly higher if associated with positive pressure ventilation and escalation of respiratory support.
Topics: COVID-19; Female; Humans; Male; Mediastinal Emphysema; Middle Aged; Pneumothorax; SARS-CoV-2; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34247490
DOI: 10.1177/02184923211031134 -
Asian Cardiovascular & Thoracic Annals Oct 2014To describe and clarify management protocols in relation to spontaneous pneumomediastinum, and try to integrate criteria on this subject. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To describe and clarify management protocols in relation to spontaneous pneumomediastinum, and try to integrate criteria on this subject.
BACKGROUND
Thoracic physicians are faced with patients who present with gas in the mediastinum, frequently without an obvious etiologic factor. Published material contains heterogeneous information from which different conclusions can be drawn.
METHODS
In a Medline search from 1990 to 2012, we collected data on mortality, morbidity, signs, symptoms, etiologic factors, and diagnostic methods. Standardized mean differences were calculated.
RESULTS
We identified 600 patients in 27 papers with series of >5 patients without precipitating or etiologic factors previous to the clinical presentation, but athletic activity, drug abuse, and history of asthma played an apparent role in the disease process. Most patients complained of thoracic pain and dyspnea, with subcutaneous emphysema and Hamman's sign. The most common complication was tension pneumothorax. Morbidity was seen in 2.8%; no mortality has been reported so far.
CONCLUSION
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a rare disease with a benign course, which should be treated conservatively unless a complication mandates an invasive procedure. An algorithm for diagnosis and treatment is offered, based on the available evidence.
Topics: Algorithms; Critical Pathways; Humans; Mediastinal Emphysema; Predictive Value of Tests; Risk Factors; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 24887879
DOI: 10.1177/0218492313504091 -
Craniomaxillofacial Trauma &... Mar 2022Pneumomediastinum (PM) secondary to oromaxillofacial trauma (OMF) is a rare but well-described complication/pathologic finding. The aim of this study was twofold: first,... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Pneumomediastinum (PM) secondary to oromaxillofacial trauma (OMF) is a rare but well-described complication/pathologic finding. The aim of this study was twofold: first, to report our experience in treatment of maxillofacial trauma patients with PM, and second, to review the literature regarding the clinical features, severity, course, and management of the aforementioned complication.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and charts of patients who suffered from maxillofacial trauma and treated in our hospital between September 1, 2013 and September 31, 2017. The inclusion criteria were patients with radiologically confirmed PM. In addition, the electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct were queried for articles reporting PM cases secondary to OMF injuries and published in English, French, and German language.
RESULTS
Three cases of PM out of 3,514 cases of craniomaxillofacial trauma were found; there were 3 male patients who presented in our emergency department with the chief complaint of cervicofacial swelling. Literature search isolated 58 selected articles and 63 cases were assessed in total; posttraumatic repeated blowing of nose was proved as most frequent triggering factor among them. Furthermore, the outcomes of review showed that thoracic pain, respiratory distress, and swallowing difficulties were not frequently reported in patients with ME due to facial trauma.
CONCLUSIONS
Both our experience and the results of systematic literature review indicated that patients with PM due to OMF injuries present mild clinical course. If properly managed, this specific pathologic condition may have no further complications or relative comorbidities. The exact etiology and mechanism of PM in the context of maxillofacial injuries always needs to be identified. Radiographic, laboratory, and endoscopic examinations should be applied to rule out the more serious and frequently diagnosed aerodigestive, thoracic, and abdominal causes of PM.
PubMed: 35265281
DOI: 10.1177/1943387521997236 -
Journal of Medical Case Reports Mar 2021Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum is a rare disease. It could be a simple and self-limited condition or be a life-threatening complication of underlying diseases. The... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum is a rare disease. It could be a simple and self-limited condition or be a life-threatening complication of underlying diseases. The therapeutic options also differ by the cause. This systematic review was done to provide, as far as we know, the first attempt to broadly assess the clinical feature, predisposing factors, possible management, and outcome of spontaneous primary pneumomediastinum.
METHODS
In addition to the two patients treated at our hospital, a Pub Med Search for literature on case reports of spontaneous pneumomediastinum published in English up to November 2018 was done. We extracted data on patients' demographic characteristics, symptoms, timing, diagnosis, management, and outcome of the treatment were analyzed based on the preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) RESULT: A total of 339 cases were reviewed. 71.7% of them were male. The Mean age affected was 22.4 ± 11.3 years. Chest pain, 196 (57.8%), is the most common presenting symptom, followed by dyspnea, 156 (46%), cough 95 (28%), neck swelling 92 (27.13%), cervical pain 88 (25.9%), dysphagia 39 (11.5%), odynophagia 37 (10.9%), and Dysphonia 14 (4.1%). Fifty-seven patients (16.8%) had a prior history of Asthma, 19 (5.6%) had Connective Tissue Disorders, and 12 (3.5%) had associated malignancy as an identified risk factor. In 35 (10.3%) patients, spontaneous pneumomediastinum was found incidentally. The mean number of days before the clinical resolution of spontaneous pneumomediastinum was 6.65 ± 11.8 days and the average hospital stay was 4.15 ± 1.93 days. Nineteen (5.6%) patients have died as a result of the underlying disease not related to SPM.
CONCLUSION
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is uncommon, usually benign, a self-limited disorder that commonly occurs in a young adult without any apparent precipitating factor or disease. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum usually responds very well to conservative treatment without recurrence. However, secondary causes should be ruled out to minimize the unfavorable outcome.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Chest Pain; Child; Cough; Dyspnea; Female; Humans; Male; Mediastinal Emphysema; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Young Adult
PubMed: 33761988
DOI: 10.1186/s13256-021-02701-z -
International Journal of Surgery... Aug 2018Aim of this study is to report and to analyze the incidence, clinical impact and treatment options of ectopic air localizations after transanal procedures. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Aim of this study is to report and to analyze the incidence, clinical impact and treatment options of ectopic air localizations after transanal procedures.
METHODS
A systematic literature review was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The research was carried out using the PubMed database, identifying 40 articles with the following keywords: "transanal" AND "emphysema"; "transanal" AND "subcutaneous emphysema"; "transanal" AND "pneumomediastinum"; "transanal" AND "pneumothoraces"; "transanal" AND "pneumopericardium"; "transanal" AND "retropneumoperitoneum".
RESULTS
Nineteen articles, published between 1993 and 2017, were included in the study for a total of 29 patients. The most frequent air localization was in the retroperitoneum, followed by subcutaneous tissues, mediastinum and neck. This condition was treated conservatively in 20 patients, with colostomy in 4 patients, with bowel resection and negative diagnostic laparoscopy in one patient each. In three cases the treatment was not specified. Ectopic air location resolved in all cases.
CONCLUSIONS
Pneumo-mediastinum and pneumo-retroperitoneum after transanal procedures are unusual complications with a dramatic radiological appearance but can be managed successfully with a completely benign course in most cases. Initially, a conservative approach is recommended. Surgical treatment should be reserved only in case of fluid collection or suture dehiscence.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Humans; Incidence; Male; Mediastinal Emphysema; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications; Radiography; Retropneumoperitoneum; Subcutaneous Emphysema; Transanal Endoscopic Surgery
PubMed: 29936199
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2018.05.743 -
Diseases of the Esophagus : Official... Oct 2016Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a novel approach to performing esophageal myotomy for the treatment of achalasia. This review aims to assess subjective and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a novel approach to performing esophageal myotomy for the treatment of achalasia. This review aims to assess subjective and objective metrics of achalasia treatment efficacy, perioperative adverse events and the incidence of postoperative gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients treated with POEM. Secondary aims include a pooled analysis comparison of the clinical outcomes and procedural safety of POEM versus laparoscopic Heller's myotomy (LHM). A systematic review of the literature, up to and including January 15, 2015, was conducted for studies reporting POEM outcomes. Studies comparing POEM to LHM were also included for the purpose of pooled analysis. Outcomes from 1122 POEM patients, from 22 studies, are reported in this systematic review. Minor operative adverse events included capno/pneumo-peritoneum (30.6%), capno/pneumo-thorax (11.0%) and subcutaneous emphysema (31.6%). Major operative adverse events included mediastinal leak (0.3%), postoperative bleeding (1.1%) and a single mortality (0.09%). There was an improvement in lower esophageal sphincter pressure and timed barium esophagram column height of 66% and 80% post-POEM, respectively. Symptom improvement was demonstrated with a pre- and post-POEM Eckardt score ± standard deviation of 6.8 ± 1.0 and 1.2 ± 0.6, respectively. Pre- and post-POEM endoscopy showed esophagitis in 0% and 19% of patients, respectively. The median (interquartile range) points scored for study quality was 15 (14-16) out of total of 32. Pooled analysis of three comparative studies between LHM and POEM showed similar results for adverse events, perforation rate, operative time and a nonsignificant trend toward a reduced length of hospital stay in the POEM group. In conclusion, POEM is a safe and effective treatment for achalasia, showing significant improvements in objective metrics and achalasia-related symptoms. Randomized comparative studies of LHM and POEM are required to determine the most effective treatment modality for achalasia.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Esophageal Achalasia; Esophageal Perforation; Esophagoscopy; Esophagus; Female; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Humans; Incidence; Laparoscopy; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth; Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery; Operative Time; Postoperative Complications; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 26175119
DOI: 10.1111/dote.12387 -
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Sep 2023This case report presents an iatrogenic induced mediastinal emphysema after restorative treatment of the lower left second molar, aimed to highlight the potential...
This case report presents an iatrogenic induced mediastinal emphysema after restorative treatment of the lower left second molar, aimed to highlight the potential life-threatening consequences, and providing diagnostics and treatment concepts of complicated dental induced emphysema based on literature review. A 74-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency department due to a fall on her shoulder. Additional finding was a significant swelling of the face and neck. In the computer tomography of the head, neck, and thorax, a humerus fracture and pronounced soft tissue emphysema from the infraorbital region to the mediastinum was detected. The patient reported that she had been treated by her dentist 4 days earlier. The treatment had to be discontinued after beginning of a pronounced swelling. Other reasons for the emphysema could be excluded out on an interdisciplinary teamwork. The patient was monitored as an inpatient for 5 days and received intravenous antibiotic therapy. This case report shows the rare complication of pronounced mediastinal emphysema after root canal treatment. Emphysema should always be a differential diagnosis of soft tissue swelling and, in case of doubt, a general medical presentation should be made.
Topics: Humans; Female; Aged; Mediastinal Emphysema; Face; Molar; Tooth Extraction; Subcutaneous Emphysema
PubMed: 35680758
DOI: 10.1007/s10006-022-01088-5 -
Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory... Oct 2016Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is an uncommon disorder. It is rarely reported in paediatric patients and may be accompanied by subcutaneous emphysema. It is usually... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is an uncommon disorder. It is rarely reported in paediatric patients and may be accompanied by subcutaneous emphysema. It is usually benign and self-limiting, with only supportive therapy being needed, but severe cases may require invasive measures. Asthma exacerbations have classically been described as a cause of SPM. However, detailed descriptions in asthmatic children are scarce. We aimed at improving the current understanding of the features of SPM and subcutaneous emphysema, and outcomes, by means of a case report and a systematic review.
METHODS
For the systematic review a literature search was performed in PubMed to identify reported cases of SPM in asthmatic children.
RESULTS
The case a 10-year-old asthmatic girl with SPM is reported. The patient received an inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta2 agonist, in addition to sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with eventual control of asthma symptoms.
REVIEW
A total of 114 published cases were found since 1995, most of them in teenagers; no sex differences were observed. Clinical presentation was associated with an asthma exacerbation in a number of cases. Other presenting features were chest pain, dyspnoea, cough, and particularly acute swelling of the face, neck, and upper chest. Subcutaneous emphysema was present in most patients. Overall, three cases of pneumothorax and two cases of pneumorrhachis were reported. Therapy was mainly based on supportive care, rest, oxygen therapy, analgesics, steroids, and bronchodilators. All patients recovered spontaneously, in spite of a small initial increase in SPM in a few cases.
CONCLUSIONS
Early identification of patients at risk of SPM would avoid the high number of under-diagnosed cases. Patients should be treated not only with supportive therapy but also with measures to achieve control of the underlying cause (such as poorly controlled asthma).
Topics: Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma; Child; Cough; Dyspnea; Female; Humans; Mediastinal Emphysema; Subcutaneous Emphysema; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 27585598
DOI: 10.1177/1753465816657478