Cervical emphysema secondary to pneumomediastinum as a complication of childbirth.
Pneumomediastinum and cervical emphysema usually occur following esophageal or chest trauma. Rarely do they occur as a complication of childbirth, and only approximately 200 such cases have been reported in the literature worldwide. We describe a new case, and we review the clinical picture, pathophysiology, and management of these conditions. In view of the head and neck symptoms of pneumomediastinum and cervical emphysema during labor--which include dyspnea, cough, sore throat, pain on swallowing, and dysphagia--otolaryngologists might be consulted and should therefore be aware of these conditions in order to recognize and treat them.
Nakagawa
Hideki
H
Department of Otolaryngology, Seibo International Catholic Hospital, 2-5-1 Nakaochiai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 161-8521, Japan. hnakagawa@seibokai.or.jp
Yamauchi
Miwa
M
Kusuyama
Toshiyuki
T
Fukuda
Hiroyuki
H
Ogawa
Kaoru
K
D000328:Adult; D001720:Birth Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000150:complications*; D009333:Neck; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000209:etiology*