Subcutaneous emphysema: Unique presentation of a foreign body in the airway.
Foreign body airway (FBA) is a common problem among the children. Variable presentation makes it difficult to diagnose a case of FBA, particularly, when no definite history of aspiration is available. Subcutaneous emphysema (SCE) and pneumomediastinum are rare presentations. We report a case of FBA who presented with SCE without any history of aspiration. A 3-year-old female child was admitted with respiratory distress, fever and SCE over the right side of chest, neck and face. Initially, she was diagnosed as a case of pneumonitis with barotrauma. X-ray of the chest revealed SCE with pneumomediastinum without pneumothorax. Diagnostic bronchoscopy with rigid ventilating bronchoscope was done under general anesthesia. A plastic foreign body with sharp projections embedded in the mucosa was detected and retrieved from right main bronchus. Postoperatively SCE regressed gradually.
Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Dilshad Garden, Delhi, India.
Mahendra
M
Kumar
Department of ENT, University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Dilshad Garden, Delhi, India.
Arun
A
Goyal
Department of ENT, University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Dilshad Garden, Delhi, India.
Neelima
N
Gupta
Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Dilshad Garden, Delhi, India.
Rajesh Singh
RS
Rautela
Foreign body airway; pneumomediastinum; respiratory distress; subcutaneous emphysema