Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum: A Rare Complication of Bronchial Asthma

Abstract

Pneumomediastinum is a rare complication of an acute exacerbation of asthma. We describe a 28-year-old female who was admitted to hospital with acute severe exacerbation of asthma and developed a spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) with associated subcutaneous emphysema. She was successfully managed conservatively. On follow up there was resolution of the subcutaneous emphysema and the pneumomediastinum, clinically and radiologically. SPM although usually a self-limiting condition, can occasionally be life threatening. Therefore, it is important to raise the awareness of this potential complication of asthma.

Keywords :

• bronchial asthma
• subcutaneous emphysema
• pneumomediastinum
• chest radiograph
• Hamman's sign