title: [Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema complicating active labour].
abstract: Subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum were first described by Hamman in 1945. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is an uncommon, self-limiting condition caused by alveolar rupture and usually results from bronchial hyper-reactivity or barotraumas. We report a case describing a 25 year old patient in her first pregnancy, who during active labour developed subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum. Pneumomediastinum in labour is a rare complication to Valsalva maneuver, and it is diagnosed with a computed tomography. The most common symptoms are chest pain, dyspnea, neck pain and odynophagia.
authors: Gynækologisk og Obstetrisk Afdeling, Roskilde Sygehus, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark. mariebender@yahoo.dk
authors: Marie Bender
authors: MB
authors: Rugaard
authors: Kathrine Birch
authors: KB
authors: Petersen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D007744:Obstetric Labor Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy