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Subcutaneous emphysema of the lower extremity of gastrointestinal origin.

Two cases of subcutaneous emphysema of the left lower extremity secondary to perforations of the rectum ,nd sigmoid colon are presented. Although this is an extremely rare syndrome, the true incidence is probably higher, as some cases will be misdiagnosed as gas gangrene unless careful clinical and postmortem examinations are performed. Only rapid recognition of the probable origin of the gas, coupled with aggressive, definitive therapy, can prevent the usually fatal course of this condition. In the absence of trauma to the chest or infection in a previously normal leg, subcutaneous emphysema of a limb should alert the physician to the possibility of a gastrointestinal perforation as a source of the gas. Perforations of the gastrointestinal tract into the subcutaneous tissue can occur anywhere from the neck to the lower extremities.

Aged↗

Subcutaneous emphysema in labour.

Spontaneous subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema is a rare but potentially dangerous complication of labour. The condition was observed in an 18-year-old primigravida in the first stage of labour, who subsequently required Caesarean section which was performed under epidural anaesthesia.

Adolescent↗

[Postoperative cervicofacial subcutaneous emphysema].

Two cases of post-operative subcutaneous emphysema are reported. After excessive airway pressure, air or anaesthetic gases may spread to the neck, mediastinum, abdomen or pleural cavity. Pathogenesis and mechanisms are discussed. Possible aetiologic factors are outlined. The consequences of this condition are limited after adequate emergency treatment.

Adult↗

[Measles and subcutaneous emphysema. Presentation of 3 cases].

This is a three case study report of children with measles which later progressed to bronchopneumonia and subcutaneous emphysema. All three children were from farming families, and none had been previously vaccinate against measles. For a period of six months, 183 cases of measles were treated at our hospital of which only three worsened to subcutaneous emphysema, demonstrating an incidence rate of 1.6%; they also showed to have bronchopneumonia, with severe coughing episodes; which made us recall the possible physiopathology principle of the pressure gradient theory behind this complication proposed by Bloch in 1968. The factors related to our patients suggested a more severe and aggresive type of measles with a greater probability of having complications. The prognostic value of the severity of this type of measles in the presence of subcutaneous emphysema is limited and its management should be primarly focused on treating the added bronchial problem.

Adolescent↗

[Swyer-James syndrome with pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema due to bronchial asthma].

A 24-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital due to moderate asthmatic attacks. Dyspnea and hypoxemia progressed gradually despite medication. A chest roentgenogram revealed left unilateraly hyperlucency with pneumomediastiumn and subcutaneous emphysema. Swyer-James syndrome was diagnosed. Several cases of Swyer-James syndrome with bronchial asthma airway hyperresponsiveness have been reported, but we know of no reports of Swyer-James syndrome with pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema due to prolonged asthmatic attacks. Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema may be caused by abnormally high pressures in the bronchial lumen and alveolar space during asthmatic attacks, because the emphysematous lesion may be structurally weak.

Adult↗

Transient exit block of a DDD pacemaker with unipolar leads in subcutaneous emphysema following pneumothorax.

This case report describes a transient pacemaker exit block due to subcutaneous emphysema following pneumothorax. Pneumothorax after pacemaker implantation is rare, but development of subcutaneous emphysema under such circumstances is even more uncommon. Exit block develops only with the use of unipolar leads; with implantation of bipolar leads, this complication cannot occur.

Aged↗

[Subcutaneous emphysema of hand and forearm due to high-pressure injection of air].

Cutaneous injuries with crepitus suggest infections caused by gas forming organisms. The non infectious causes of subcutaneous emphysema are under recognized, and are usually of good prognosis. A 27 year old man presented a swollen hand and forearm. He had suffered a small puncture wound in a finger. He had cleaned and dried the area briefly with compressed air, developing a fast swelling of this hand and forearm. At examination, we found extended subcutaneous emphysema in a radiography and observed subcutaneous air in the hand and forearm; 48 hs later there was no evidence of subcutaneous air. The presence of subcutaneous emphysema is always worrisome and such cases must be considered in the differential diagnosis. The exposition of preexistent wounds to compressed air sources (high pressure pneumatic tools, scuba compressed air tubes, compressed air guns) identifies the cause and prevents unnecessary surgical interventions.

Adult↗

[Subcutaneous emphysema as a complication of colonoscopy].

A 71-year-old man underwent colonoscopy and multiple poly-pectomy. A few hours after the procedure he developed massive subcutaneous emphysema of the abdomen, chest, mediastinum, scrotum and both legs. Treatment was by conservative measures only. The emphysema gradually disappeared and he was discharged within a few days without sequelae. Subcutaneous emphysema is a rare complication of colonoscopy which has also been described after other endoscopic and radiological investigations of the gastrointestinal tract. It is due to a tiny laceration of the mucosal wall of the colon incurred during aggressive instrumentation, through which pass large quantities of air. The laceration is located underneath the peritoneal sac and the air flows into the retroperitoneum (closed or extraperitoneal perforation). The appearance of subcutaneous emphysema a few hours later, usually after leaving the hospital, is characteristic. In contrast to intraperitoneal perforation (open perforation), surgical intervention is not indicated and treatment is usually conservative. It includes complete cessation of oral alimentation, insertion of a nasogastric tube, IV drip, and correction of hydro-electrolytic or acid-base imbalances. The overall prognosis following such measures is excellent.

Aged↗

Post-measles pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema in malnourished children.

One hundred and seventy-two children with complicated measles were studied clinically andeadiologically for the presence of post-measles pnemomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema. Eleven cases (6.4%) were found to have this complication. Protein energy malnutrition was an association in 81.8% of these patients. The condition was severe and fatal in one patient, while emergency tracheostomy was needed in another patient who had upper air way obstruction due to gross subcutaneous emphysema. We suggest close observation and early intervention in patients with severe and rapidly progressive subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, air block and whenever there is a jeopardy to the cardiovascular system.

Age Distribution↗

Subcutaneous emphysema: a complication of surgery and anesthesia.

Subcutaneous emphysema is an iatrogenic complication by which air is introduced into the tissues either during or immediately after surgery. A case is presented that demonstrates the complication, following the removal of third molars, believed to be due to violation of the maxillary sinus, an underinflated cuff of a nasotracheal tube, and coughing on extubation.

Adult↗

Subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax complicating laparoscopic vagotomy. Report of two cases.

Two patients developed subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum during laparoscopic vagotomy. One of the patients also had a pneumothorax which produced a sudden increase in end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration preceding arterial oxygen desaturation. The pneumothorax was drained with an intercostal cannula. The patient required a twofold increase in minute ventilation to maintain normocarbia, probably because of the additional absorption of carbon dioxide through the pleural cavity. Despite the presence of a peritoneo-pleural communication, surgery was successfully completed. We believe that gas under tension in the peritoneal cavity dissected along tissue planes around the oesophagus opened up during surgery. Thus pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema and pneumothorax are definite risks associated with this new procedure.

Adult↗

Subcutaneous emphysema secondary to tonsillectomy: a case report.

We report a patient in whom subcutaneous emphysema developed shortly after a tonsillectomy. A 55-year-old female with a chronic tonsillitis underwent a tonsillectomy, and about 8 h after surgery complained of swelling to the left side of the face and neck. There was crepitus and local tenderness in the left side of the neck. A CT scan revealed subcutaneous emphysema. The mechanisms underlying emphysema after tonsillectomy are discussed.

Chronic Disease↗

Subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and potentially life-threatening tension pneumothorax. Pulmonary complications from arthroscopic shoulder decompression.

Subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and tension pneumothorax are previously unreported complications of shoulder arthroscopy with subacromial decompression. Three patients developed extensive subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and bilateral tension pneumothorax during or immediately after shoulder arthroscopy with subacromial decompression. The procedure was terminated and appropriate treatment was given. All three patients recovered completely with no residual damage. The complications are thought to be associated with the extravasation of air that may be drawn in from the lateral portal when the arthroscopic infusion pump and power shaver with suction are turned on. Early diagnosis, followed by immediate termination of the infusion pump and suction shaver along with appropriate treatment can be life-saving.

Adult↗

[Sudden difficulty in ventilation due to massive subcutaneous emphysema during laparoscopic cholecystectomy].

A 56-year-old woman with cholecystolithiasis was scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Anesthesia was induced with fentanyl and propofol IV, and the trachea was intubated using vecuronium IV. Anesthesia was maintained with 60% nitrous oxide and propofol intravenously, and vecuronium was used for muscle relaxation. Following induction of carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum, PETCO2 slightly increased. During pneumoperitoneum PETCO2 as easily controlled by increasing minute volume of ventilation. Fifty minutes after the start of pneumoperitoneum, suddenly the peak airway pressure increased and PETCO2 reached 70 mmHg continuously. At this time, severe massive subcutaneous emphysema from the anterior thorax to the head and neck was noted, and the manual lung ventilation was very difficult. After discontinuation of pneumoperitoneum, PETCO2 gradually decreased with improvement of the neck subcutaneous emphysema. At the same time the lung ventilation improved. We speculate that major causes of difficulty in ventilation were the decreased compliance and the tracheal tube comppression, which were due to massive subcutaneous emphysema. Our findings show that we have to stop pneumoperitoneum immediately, when we find a sudden increase of the peak airway pressure or PETCO2 with subcutaneous emphysema during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Carbon Dioxide↗

Pneumorrhachis, subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, and pneumoretroperitoneum after proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis: report of a case.

This article presents the first known case of pneumorrhachis (spinal air), pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, pneumoretroperitoneum, and subcutaneous emphysema after proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis. We review the patient's medical history, clinical and laboratory findings, radiographic data, and operative records, as well as the relevant literature. We describe the case of a young male with ulcerative colitis who developed pneumorrhachis, subcutaneous emphysema, pneumoretroperitoneum, pneumomediastinum, and pneumopericardium after a proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Unlike the case we report, previously described episodes of pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema in patients with ulcerative colitis developed before operative intervention. We offer possible explanations for these unusual complications based on analysis of this case and thorough review of the literature.

Adult↗