title: [Pneumomediastinum induced by sniffed cocaine].
abstract: The increasing availability and use of cocaine stresses the importance that physicians are aware of the medical complications of the abuse. This case report describes a 24 year-old man who got chest pain after the snorting of 6 g of cocaine. A chest X-ray revealed a pneumomediastinum, which was confirmed by a computed tomography of the thorax. Pneumomediastinum secondary to cocaine insufflations is described as a benign condition. Adequate therapy is painkillers and observation, when life-threatening condition such as oesophageal rupture is excluded.
authors.affiliation: Anæstesiologisk Afdeling, Aarhus Universitetshospital, Nørrebrogade 44, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. rikke.maerkedahl@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: Rikke
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mærkedahl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003042:Cocaine / Q000009:adverse effects; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D003042:Cocaine