Bilateral pneumothoraces and pneumomediastinum complicating a generalized tonic-clonic seizure.
Patients often present to the emergency department following a generalized tonic-clonic seizure, particularly of new onset. Complications associated with seizures usually arise from injuries sustained from loss of consciousness or during convulsive activity. This report describes a patient with an idiopathic seizure who developed postictal alveolar edema and delayed bilateral pneumothoraces and pneumomediastinum. A literature search revealed only 1 other case of this potentially life-threatening pulmonary complication from seizures.
Curran
Helen
H
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Ross
John
J
D000293:Adolescent; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012640:Seizures / Q000150:complications*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed