An 18-Year-Old Asthmatic Woman with Pneumomediastinum and Pneumorrhachis View PDF

^*Vitorino Modesto Dos Santos
Medicine, Armed Forces Hospital, Catholic University Of Brasília, Brazil

^*Corresponding Author:

Vitorino Modesto Dos Santos
Medicine, Armed Forces Hospital, Catholic University Of Brasília, Brazil
Email:vitorinomodesto@gmail.com

Published on: 2014-10-13

Abstract

Pneumorrhachis is the presence of free air in the spinal canal. This rare condition is more often asymptomatic and commonly detected as an incidental image finding. Pneumorrhachis in association with pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema has been scarcely described. Pneumocephalum and pneumothorax are additional associations. Rare cases of pneumorrhachis associated with neurological symptoms require the adoption of decompression,procedures. However, conservative management can led to spontaneous resolution in the majority of the patients.

Keywords

Asthma; Lumbar puncture; Spontaneous pneumomediastinum; Subcutaneous emphysema; Pneumorrhachis

Introduction

Pneumomediastinum is the presence of free air in the mediastinal space, condition more often found in neonates, and predominant in males (8:1) and in 1% of asthmatics. The main clinical features are chest pain and dyspnea, but are frequently diagnosed with based on the images. Pneumorrhachis is the presence of free air in the spinal canal, a scarcely reported condition that follows pneumocephalus, or is detected as an incidental finding of imaging studies [