Subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum

Case contributed by Tariq Walizai
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Chest wall spontaneous swelling with development of shortness of breath.

Patient Data

Age: 10 years
Gender: Male
Scano
gram
This study is a stack
Axial lung
window
This study is a stack
Axial
non-contrast
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Info

Widespread subcutaneous emphysema tracks around the chest wall and neck.

Pneumomediastinum and gas in the inferior pulmonary ligament.

No pneumothorax is seen.

No bony fracture line or evidence of surgical intervention is noted.

Case Discussion

Current imaging findings are of subcutaneous emphysema along with pneumomediastinum as detailed above.

In the absence of iatrogenic cause it is most likely spontaneous in etiology.

Case co-author: Dr. Anwar-ul-Haq Zadran.

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