title: Barotrauma related to inhalational drug abuse.
abstract: Three patients are described who developed either pneumomediastinum or "clicking pneumothorax" after abusing illicit drugs. In recent years, patients presenting with pneumomediastinum after abusing cocaine have been frequently reported; these patients are most commonly young males with pleuritic chest pain. Seventy-three percent have detectable subcutaneous emphysema and fifty percent have a Hamman's sign. The pathophysiology, presenting features, and treatment of patients with barotrauma related to inhalational drug abuse are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Valley Medical Center, Fresno, California 93702.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Seaman
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000661:Amphetamine; D001469:Barotrauma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000139:chemically induced; D003042:Cocaine; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D055370:Lung Injury; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D000661:Amphetamine; D003042:Cocaine