Spontaneous pneumorrhachis in bronchial asthma.
We report on an 18-year-old male with bronchial asthma who presented with swelling over the neck and upper chest after a mild episode of bronchospasm. Physical examination was suggestive of subcutaneous emphysema, which was subsequently confirmed on a radiograph. Computed tomography in addition revealed pneumomediastinum and air within the epidural space of the spinal canal. Although spontaneous pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema have been described in a variety of situations, including patients with asthma, spontaneous pneumorrhachis in asthmatics is a very rare entity.
Eesa
M
M
Department of Radiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India. muneereesa@rediffmail.com
Kandpal
H
H
Sharma
R
R
Misra
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed