Neumomediastino y enfisema subcutáneo espontáneo: síndrome de Hamman / Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum and Subcutaneous Emphysema: Hamman's Syndrome

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Massive subcutaneous emphysema mimicking anaphylaxis - pathological and radiological correlations.

This report details the pathological and radiological findings in a rare case of massive subcutaneous emphysema. A 74-year-old male presented with sudden onset dyspnea and facial swelling following a fall. His symptoms were refractory to treatments for anaphylaxis, which was suspected clinically, and he quickly succumbed. Autopsy, including post mortem CT scan revealed the underlying etiology to be multiple rib fractures with rupture of the parietal pleura, bilateral pneumothoraxes and massive subcutaneous emphysema involving the face, torso and upper limbs. Multiple frothy air bubbles were observed throughout the mediastinal adipose tissues on internal examination. Our findings echo those of rare previous reports and show how subcutaneous emphysema may, in rare circumstances, mimic anaphylaxis.

Fatal bilateral pneumothorax and generalized emphysema following contraindicated speaking-valve application.

We report a case of a contraindicated attachment of a speaking valve to a tracheal tube with an inflated cuff, which rapidly resulted in the patient's death. The attached one-way valve allowed unrestrained inspiration through the tracheal tube but prevented physiological expiration. The increased pulmonary pressure resulted in alveolar rupture and replaced expiration with a steady release of air into the peribronchial sheaths and the mediastinum, resulting in what is commonly known as the Macklin effect. From the mediastinum, air inflated both pleural cavities, the peritoneum, and the subcutaneous tissue of the entire body. No gas was found in the blood vessels, the brain, the bones, or in the inner organs. The entire air volume was estimated by radiological segmentation to be more than 25 l. This implies continuous inspiration, while expiration turned into an aberrant pulmonary decompression by whole-body gas-enclosure. Death ultimately resulted from asphyxia following bilateral (tension) pneumothorax.

Relevant findings on postmortem CT and postmortem MRI in hanging, ligature strangulation and manual strangulation and their additional value compared to autopsy - a systematic review.

Several articles have described the use of postmortem computed tomography (CT) and postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in forensic medicine. Although access to CT scanners and, particularly, access to MRI scanners, is still limited for several institutes, both modalities are being applied with increasing frequency in the forensic setting. Certainly, postmortem imaging can provide crucial information prior to autopsy, and this method has even been considered a replacement to autopsy in selected cases by some forensic institutes. However, the role of postmortem imaging has to be assessed individually according to various injury categories and causes of death. Therefore, this systematic review focuses on the role of postmortem CT and MRI in cases of hanging and ligature and manual strangulation. We assessed the most common and relevant findings on CT and MRI in cases of strangulation and compared the detectability of these findings among CT, MRI and autopsy. According to the available literature, mainly fractures of the hyoid bone or thyroid cartilage were investigated using postmortem CT. Compared to autopsy, CT demonstrated equivalent results concerning the detection of these fractures. A currently described "gas bubble sign" may even facilitate the detection of laryngeal fractures on CT. Regarding the detection of hemorrhages in the soft tissue of the neck, postmortem MRI is more suitable for the detection of this "vital sign" in strangulation. Compared to autopsy, postmortem MRI is almost equally accurate for the detection of hemorrhages in the neck. Another "vital sign", gas within the soft tissue in hanging, which is hardly detectable by conventional autopsy, can be clearly depicted by CT and MRI. The number of cases of manual and ligature strangulation that were investigated by means of postmortem CT and MRI is much smaller than the number of cases of hanging that were investigated by CT and MRI. Likewise, judicial hanging and the hangman's fracture on postmortem imaging were described in only a few cases. Based on the results of this systematic review, we discuss the additional value of CT and MRI in fatal strangulation compared to autopsy, and we reflect on where the literature is currently lacking.

[Spontaneous pneumomediastinum: A rare complication of dermatomyositis]. / Pneumomédiastin spontané : une complication rare de la dermatomyosite.

Dermatomyositis is a rare connective tissue disease of unknown origin, including inflammatory myopathy and cutaneous manifestations. Several pulmonary complications associated to dermatomyositis were described; especially interstitial lung disease. Some rare and particular pulmonary complications were reported in the literature such as pneumodiastinum and pneumothorax. We are describing here, a case report about a female patient, who presented with dermatomyositis associated to pneumomediastinum as a severe and lethal complication without pneumothorax. It is a novel observation depicting this severe and rare complication. Brutal dyspnea and cervical subcutaneous crackling are alarming signs that should make practitioners think about this complication.

Cerebral Air Embolism: A Clinical, Radiologic and Histopathologic Correlation.

Cerebral air embolism is a recognized life-threatening complication, sometimes iatrogenic. Its timely diagnosis is essential because it can result in neurologic deficits or death. We report a case of a 58-year-old man who died from cerebral air embolism diagnosed by nonenhanced computed tomography scan of the head after a cardiac bypass surgery with Biventricular Assist Device and multiple vascular line placements. Autopsy revealed extensive subcutaneous emphysema, intravascular and perivascular air bubbles in the central nervous system and associated cerebral and cerebellar hemorrhagic infarction. The autopsy was helpful in documenting the extent of the air embolism and its appearance in soft tissue and central nervous system.

Cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema: a clinical case and review of the literature.

Cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema is a known, rare complication of both dental and surgical procedures. Cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema arises when air is forced beneath the tissues, leading to swelling, crepitus on palpation, and the potential of the air to spread along the fascial planes. This report presents a case of cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema in a patient who had undergone surgical extraction of the mandibular right first molar. The dentist in this case used a compressed air-driven handpiece to section the tooth. This forced air, under high pressure, into the subcutaneous tissue spaces. The patient presented with severe hemifacial swelling and crepitus on palpation. Computed tomographic examination revealed air subcutaneously, and a diagnosis of cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema was made.

Subendocardial hemorrhages in a case of extrapercardial cardiac tamponade ­ A possible mechanism of appearance.

Introduction: Subendocardial hemorrhages are grossly visible bleedings in the inner surface of the left ventricle, the interventricular septum, and the opposing papillary muscles and adjacent columnae carneae of the free wall of the ventricle. These are commonly seen in sudden profound hypotension either from severe blood loss from "shock" in the widest sense and, even more often, in combination with brain injuries. Case Outline: We present a case of a 38-year-old man, injured as a car driver in a frontal collision, who died c. 45 minutes after the accident. The autopsy revealed severe chest trauma, including multiple right-sided direct rib fractures with the torn parietal pleura and right-sided pneumothorax, several right lung ruptures, and a rupture of one of the lobar bronchi with pneumomediastinum, and prominent subcutaneous emphysema of the trunk, shoulders, neck and face. The patchy subendocardial hemorrhage of the left ventricle was observed. The cause of death is attributed to severe blunt force chest trauma. Conclusion: We postulate pneumomediastinum leading to extrapericardial tamponade as the underlying mechanism of this subendocardial hemorrhage.

Enfisema subcutâneo associado à utilização de caneta de alta rotação durante remoção de enxerto û relato de caso / Subcutaneous emphysema associated with the use of high-speed drill during graft harvesting û case report

O enfisema subcutâneo consiste na entrada de ar nos tecidos moles e cavidades do corpo como resultado de um procedimento cirúrgico, patologia ou trauma. Em Odontologia representa uma condição rara. Os casos relatados geralmente têm relação com o uso de canetas de alta rotação, no entanto, também já foi descrito com o uso do jato de ar da seringa tríplice em procedimentos endodônticos e restauradores. Caracteriza-se pelo edema súbito e difuso que pode envolver a região periorbitária, bochechas, submandibular ou cervical. Este trabalho descreve um relato de caso clínico de enfisema subcutâneo em uma paciente submetida à remoção de enxerto autógeno de linha oblíqua mandibular com a utilização de caneta de alta rotação para reconstrução óssea de maxila previamente à colocação de implantes. No terceiro dia notou-se sensível melhora quanto ao inchaço periorbitário e regressão do mesmo nos dias subsequentes. Embora o enfisema subcutâneo seja pouco frequente e inócuo, normalmente se resolve sem sequelas de maneira espontânea dentro de alguns dias, pode migrar ao longo dos planos fasciais para estruturas profundas, podendo resultar em sérias complicações. O correto diagnóstico é fundamental a fim de evitar maiores complicações.

Subcutaneous emphysema is caused by the introduction of air into soft tissues and body cavities due to surgical procedure, disease or trauma. It is a rare condition in Dentistry. Cases of cutaneous emphysema are commonly associated with the use of high-speed handpieces, but cases associated with triple air syringes have also been described in endodontic and restorative procedures. It is characterized by a sudden and diffuse edema that may involve the periorbital region, cheeks, and submandibular and cervical regions. This study described a case report of subcutaneous emphysema that occurred during bone-graft harvesting from the oblique line for maxillary reconstruction prior to the placement of dental implants. Periorbital edema showed a marked improvement on the third postoperative day and gradual reduction on the subsequent days. Although subcutaneous emphysema is an uncommon and innocuous condition that usually resolves spontaneously in few days without leaving sequels, it may migrate along the fascial planes to deeper structures and result in serious complications. A correct diagnosis is extremely important to prevent major complications.

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Presentamos el caso de un paciente con infección respiratoria, que acude a urgencias por molestias torácicas. En la radiografía se observa un neumomediastino y enfisema subcutáneo. En la TAC se ve que el aire envuelve y diseca la médula espinal. El caso tiene interés por el escaso número que hay descritos en la literatura

We report a patient with respiratory infection, which came to the emergencyroom with chest discomfort. Radiography pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema is observed. In the TAC you can see the air surrounds the spinal cord and dissected it. The case is of interest for the small number that have been described in the literature

[Postpartum spontaneous pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema]. / Neumomediastino y enfisema subcutáneo espontaneos postparto: informe de un caso.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is the presence of free air contained within the mediastinum, frequently associated with subcutaneous emphysema and of atraumatic origin. Frequency during childbirth is 1 in 100,000. We report the case of a 19 year old woman without respiratory disease history, in her first pregnancy with 39.5 weeks of gestation patient had, prolonged latent phase and sudden postpartum onset of dyspnea, thoracic pain and subcutaneous emphysema. Simple X ray film and thoracic tomography revealed the presence of free air in the mediastinum. The association of pneumomediastinum during delivery is an uncommon event.

[Cervicofacial emphysema and pneumomediastinum after dental treatment]. / Cervikofacialt emfysem og pneumomediastinum efter tandbehandling.

Pneumomediastinum with subcutaneous emphysema is a rarely observed complication of dental treatment. It is a potentially dangerous condition, but the majority of cases are self-limiting and benign. We present a case of pneumomediastinum and cervicofacial emphysema that occurred after dental treatment. The rapid onset of swelling and dyspnoea are often misinterpreted as an allergic reaction to the anaesthesia used during the procedure. Physicians and dentists should be aware that cervicofacial emphysema can cause swelling after dental procedures and may mimic an allergic reaction.

Persisting subcutaneous emphysema of eyelids mimicking orbital tumor.

Eyelids emphysema is a rare condition due to air trapping in subcutaneous tissue of the orbit. It has been clinically and radiologically documented, but histologic evaluation has not been noted. We report a case of a middle-aged woman with periorbital swelling due to self-induced Valsalva maneuver, persisting after decompressive therapy. A fine-needle biopsy was performed and showed a mixed population of osteoclastic-like giant cells and mononuclear epithelioid cells, which were suspected of pathological proliferative disease. Specimens from blepharoplasty indicated pseudocystic empty spaces surrounded by epithelioid cells and giant cell granulomas. Immunohistochemical stains favored diagnosis of benign granulomatous disease, such as subcutis cystic pneumatosis. Histologic examination represented an important tool for differential diagnosis with soft tissue neoplasms of the orbit in subcutis emphysema with unusual clinical presentation and abnormal course.

[Bilateral pneumothorax, cervicofacial and mediastinal emphysema after surgical tracheostomy]. / Pneumothorax bilatéral, pneumomédiastin et emphysème sous-cutané cervico-facial après une trachéotomie chirurgicale.

Tracheotomy is a surgical procedure for various indications, such as ventilator dependence and airway obstruction. Reported rates in the literature of complications of tracheostomy vary widely. We report an unusual presentation of serious complication after surgical tracheostomy. The correct timing of tracheostomy is still controversial in the literature. A 74-year-old male had emergency surgical tracheostomy under general anesthesia. At the end of the procedure, in recovery room, he developed subcutaneous emphysema of the eyes. There was no pneumothorax seen on chest X-ray. Bronchoscopic examination through the tracheostomy tube showed no evidence of damage to the posterior tracheal wall. Three hours later patient had difficulty breathing requiring sedation with respiratory assistance. X-ray of the chest at this stage showed a right pneumothorax and extensive subcutaneous emphysema of the chest wall. Pneumothorax was managed using a chest tube. Two days after, a control CT scan of the chest showed a left pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum. The pneumothorax was managed using a chest tube. Bronchoscopic examination showed no obvious lesion in the tracheobronchial tree. The patient was treated successfully with supportive care and large doses of antibiotic to prevent mediastinitis. Seven days later, recovery was rapid and complete and CT scan of the chest was completely normal. The patient was discharged from the hospital on the 13th postoperative day. This case illustrates that complications occurring after surgical tracheostomy could be dramatic. Management of tracheotomy is important to prevent complications. There is still debate on optimal timing of tracheotomy. The last three trials have shown no interest to perform an early tracheotomy, neither in terms of vital prognosis nor in terms of the duration of mechanical ventilation.