Medica Jadertina, Vol. 47 No. 1-2, 2017.
Professional paper
Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema as complications of acute asthma onset
Nada Kljajić
orcid.org/0000-0002-4482-2300
; Opća i veteranska bolnica "Hrvatski ponos" Knin, Odjel za dječje bolesti
Marko Čičak
; Opća i veteranska bolnica "Hrvatski ponos" Knin, Odjel ginekologije i porodništva
Terezija Cvitković
; Opća i veteranska bolnica "Hrvatski ponos" Knin, Odjel za dječje bolesti
Abstract
We present a case of an eleven year-old boy with uncontrolled asthma, received due to severe deterioration of allergic asthma that manifested itself in dyspnea, feeling of shortness of breath and chest pain. Subcutaneous emphysema was palpable on the neck. Impaired breathing sound with polyphonic whistles and crepitation, with prolonged expiratory was heard on auscultation. Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema of the neck were diagnosed radiographically. The patient was treated conservatively with inhalations of salbutamol and ipratropium, intravenous corticosteroids and oxygenation. Over a period of eight days, a complete normalisation of auscultation findings of the lungs and resorption of subcutaneous emphysema ensued. The patient was discharged in good general condition. The importance of regular use of inhaled corticosteroids was stressed and parents were advised to use environmental control measures that reduce exposure to allergy triggers and smoking in the house which is a possible triggers of an acute asthma onset.
Keywords
asthma; child; pneumomediastinum; smoking
Hrčak ID:
177970
URI
Publication date:
20.3.2017.
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