Cervical emphysema and pneumomediastinum following 'light strangulation' injury

Pneumomediastinum is an uncommon radiographic finding resulting from various causes, such as trauma, infection and unknown causes. The pneumomediastinum due to minor trauma is rarely reported and treatment and diagnostic process is not established. We report on a 20-year-old female patient who initi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hong Kong journal of emergency medicine 2017-03, Vol.24 (2), p.90-92
Main Authors: Jung, MH, Kim, SE, Lee, DH, Hong, JH, Hong, JY, Kim, CW
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chest
Computed tomography
Diagnosis
Diseases
Dyspnea
Emphysema
human
mediastinal emphysema
Neck
neck injuries
Pneumomediastinum
Strangulation
Thoracic surgery
Tomography
Trauma
Wounds and injuries
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Summary:Pneumomediastinum is an uncommon radiographic finding resulting from various causes, such as trauma, infection and unknown causes. The pneumomediastinum due to minor trauma is rarely reported and treatment and diagnostic process is not established. We report on a 20-year-old female patient who initially presented with neck pain and dyspnoea following manual strangulation. Her chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) of neck imaging showed subcutaneous emphysema and extensive pneumomediastinum, but pneumothorax was not shown. She was transferred to the thoracic surgery and admitted to the general ward. The patient's condition improved and she was discharged on the sixth hospital day. In conclusion, patients with pneumomediastinum following a minor strangulation injury can be observed alone without invasive testing or repeated imaging. CT scans are of great value for safe observation in determined patients and for the further evaluation of pneumomediastinum.
ISSN:1024-9079
2309-5407
DOI:10.1177/102490791702400207