[Unusual cause of pneumomediastinum].
The 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA) also known as ecstasy is a hallucinogen prevalently used by teenagers. Known complications of its consumption are hyperpyrexia, disseminated intravasal coagulation, acute kidney failure, and rhabdomyolysis. We report about an 18-year-old patient who developed a pneumomediastinum and skin emphysema by excluded lesions of the lung and respiratory tract. We present the hypothesis of the pathogenesis of this disease. The correct therapy is observation of the patient and maximum sedation.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral-, Thorax- und Gefässchirurgie, Medizinische Fakultät der Rheinischen Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, Bonn, Germany. wlfaber@gmx.net
W
W
Faber
A
A
Hirner
M
M
Kaminski
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D006213:Hallucinogens; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine