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Pneumomediastinum with pulmonary interstitial emphysema following manual strangulation

Case contributed by Ammar Haouimi
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Victim of manual strangulation by her brother a few hours ago, presented with dyspnea.

Patient Data

Age: 30 years
Gender: Female

The CT scan demonstrates:

  • pneumomediastinum surrounding the vascular mediastinal structures as well as the tracheobronchial tree and the esophagus, extending to the cervical region 
  • No tracheal, bronchial, or esophageal rupture
  • interstitial pulmonary emphysema within the pulmonary interstitium well-visualized along the bronchovascular bundles and left major fissure
  •  no evidence of pneumothorax.

Case Discussion

CT features of a pneumomediastinum with interstitial lung emphysema following manual strangulation.

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