PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Patrick D Mitchell
AU  - Thomas J King
AU  - Donal B O'Shea
TI  - Subcutaneous Emphysema in Acute Asthma: A Cause for Concern?
AID  - 10.4187/respcare.03750
DP  - 2015 Aug 01
TA  - Respiratory Care
PG  - e141--e143
VI  - 60
IP  - 8
4099  - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/60/8/e141.short
4100  - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/60/8/e141.full
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.