A Case of Pneumorrhachis Associated with Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum and Subcutaneous Emphysema / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

Pneumorrhachis or epidural emphysema is an uncommon finding observed in the spinal epidural space. Pneumorrhachis could be occasionally associated with pneumomediastinum or pneumothorax or subcutaneous emphysema. Probably this results from air that leaks from the mediastinum, which traverses through the fascial planes and intervertebral neural foramina. In particular, without any causes, these conditions rarely appear simultaneously with trauma, surgery, malignancy, anesthesiological interventions, or Valsalva maneuvers. We report a case of pneumorrhachis accompanied by spontaneous pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema that was resolved after conservative treatment.