Abstract

Case Report

Occult Pneumomediastinum - An Atypical Presentation of Chest Discomfort in a Patient with Depression

Haripriya Menon V* and Unnikrishnan R

Published: 22 October, 2024 | Volume 8 - Issue 2 | Pages: 060-062

Pneumomediastinum (mediastinal emphysema) is an uncommon condition characterized by the accumulation of air or gas in the mediastinum. Here is a case of a 16-year-old female known to have depression who presented to the emergency department with complaints of shortness of breath, restlessness, chest discomfort, and hoarseness of voice for 2 days. She was initially diagnosed with panic attack, and later on clinical examination, surgical emphysema over the right supraclavicular area was noticed. Chest X-ray was found to be normal, and further imaging with high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the thorax showed pneumomediastinum. In this report, the clinical presentations, radiological features, and management of pneumomediastinum will be discussed.

Read Full Article HTML DOI: 10.29328/journal.jprr.1001062 Cite this Article Read Full Article PDF

Keywords:

Pneumomediastinum; Mediastinal emphysema; Shortness of breath; Chest discomfort

References

  1. Kouritas VK, Papagiannopoulos K, Lazaridis G, Baka S, Mpoukovinas I, Karavasilis V, et al. Pneumomediastinum. J Thorac Dis. 2015;7(Suppl 1). Available from: https://doi.org/10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2015.01.11
  2. Okafor C, Soin S, Ferraz JFFM. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum complicating asthma exacerbation. BMJ Case Rep. 2019;12(2). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2018-229118
  3. Iteen AJ, Bianchi W, Sharman T. Pneumomediastinum. 2023 May 1. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023. PMID: 32491372. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/nbk557440/
  4. Gorrochategui M, Weerakkody Y, Chieng R, et al. Pneumomediastinum. Reference article, org [Accessed on 28 Sep 2023].
  5. Subhawong TK, Fishman EK, Swart JE, Carrino JA, Attar S, Fayad LM. Soft-tissue masses and masslike conditions: what does CT add to diagnosis and management? AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2010;194(6):1559-1567. Available from: https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.09.3736
  6. Berliner D, Schneider N, Welte T, Bauersachs J. The differential diagnosis of dyspnea. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2016 Dec 9;113(49):834-845. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2016.0834
  7. Sahni S, Verma S, Grullon J, Esquire A, Patel P, Talwar A. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum: time for consensus. N Am J Med Sci. 2013;5(8):460-464. Available from: https://doi.org/10.4103/1947-2714.117296
  8. Zehtabchi S, Rios CL. Management of emergency department patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax: needle aspiration or tube thoracostomy? Ann Emerg Med. 2008 Jan;51(1):91-100, 100.e1. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2007.06.009

Figures:

Similar Articles

Recently Viewed

  • Synthesis of Carbon Nano Fiber from Organic Waste and Activation of its Surface Area
    Himanshu Narayan*, Brijesh Gaud, Amrita Singh and Sandesh Jaybhaye Himanshu Narayan*,Brijesh Gaud,Amrita Singh,Sandesh Jaybhaye. Synthesis of Carbon Nano Fiber from Organic Waste and Activation of its Surface Area. Int J Phys Res Appl. 2019: doi: 10.29328/journal.ijpra.1001017; 2: 056-059
  • Obesity Surgery in Spain
    Aniceto Baltasar* Aniceto Baltasar*. Obesity Surgery in Spain. New Insights Obes Gene Beyond. 2020: doi: 10.29328/journal.niogb.1001013; 4: 013-021
  • Tamsulosin and Dementia in old age: Is there any relationship?
    Irami Araújo-Filho*, Rebecca Renata Lapenda do Monte, Karina de Andrade Vidal Costa and Amália Cinthia Meneses Rêgo Irami Araújo-Filho*,Rebecca Renata Lapenda do Monte,Karina de Andrade Vidal Costa,Amália Cinthia Meneses Rêgo. Tamsulosin and Dementia in old age: Is there any relationship?. J Neurosci Neurol Disord. 2019: doi: 10.29328/journal.jnnd.1001025; 3: 145-147
  • Case Report: Intussusception in an Infant with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection and Post-Operative Wound Dehiscence
    Lamin Makalo*, Orlianys Ruiz Perez, Benjamin Martin, Cherno S Jallow, Momodou Lamin Jobarteh, Alagie Baldeh, Abdul Malik Fye, Fatoumatta Jitteh and Isatou Bah Lamin Makalo*,Orlianys Ruiz Perez,Benjamin Martin,Cherno S Jallow,Momodou Lamin Jobarteh,Alagie Baldeh,Abdul Malik Fye,Fatoumatta Jitteh,Isatou Bah. Case Report: Intussusception in an Infant with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection and Post-Operative Wound Dehiscence. J Community Med Health Solut. 2025: doi: 10.29328/journal.jcmhs.1001051; 6: 001-004
  • The prevalence and risk factors of chronic kidney disease among type 2 diabetes mellitus follow-up patients at Debre Berhan Referral Hospital, Central Ethiopia
    Getaneh Baye Mulu, Worku Misganew Kebede, Fetene Nigussie Tarekegn, Abayneh Shewangzaw Engida, Migbaru Endawoke Tiruye, Mulat Mossie Menalu, Yalew Mossie, Wubshet Teshome and Bantalem Tilaye Atinafu* Getaneh Baye Mulu,Worku Misganew Kebede,Fetene Nigussie Tarekegn,Abayneh Shewangzaw Engida,Migbaru Endawoke Tiruye,Mulat Mossie Menalu,Yalew Mossie,Wubshet Teshome,Bantalem Tilaye Atinafu*. The prevalence and risk factors of chronic kidney disease among type 2 diabetes mellitus follow-up patients at Debre Berhan Referral Hospital, Central Ethiopia. J Clini Nephrol. 2023: doi: 10.29328/journal.jcn.1001104; 7: 025-031

Read More

Most Viewed

Read More

Help ?