RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Subcutaneous Emphysema in Acute Asthma: A Cause for Concern? JF Respiratory Care FD American Association for Respiratory Care SP respcare.03750 DO 10.4187/respcare.03750 A1 Patrick D Mitchell A1 Thomas J King A1 Donal B O'Shea YR 2015 UL http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/early/2015/01/20/respcare.03750.abstract AB Pneumomediastinum has been described in patients with asthma. In this case report, we describe a young patient who presented to our medical assessment unit with an asthma exacerbation and progressive dyspnea. The patient developed pneumomediastinum, a rare complication of an asthma exacerbation. Pneumomediastinum is usually characterized by chest pain, dyspnea, and neck swelling caused by subcutaneous emphysema. Although the condition is usually benign and treatment is primarily supportive, surgical intervention may be needed if the patient develops hemodynamic compromise or respiratory failure through mechanisms similar to those seen in a tension pneumothorax.