• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1019-1024
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• 1995

Clinical analysis were performed on 68 cases of subcutaneous emphysema, those were visited at the emergency center of Chosun university hospital during the period form 1992 to 1994. The following result was obtained. 1 The incidence of subcutaneous emphysema was 0.16%, and male was dominant [M:F=6.9:1 .2 The age distribution of subcutaneous emphysema was from 4 to 77 years old and mean age was 49.6$\pm$17.8 years[$\pm$SD 3 The most presenting symptoms were chest pain[49% , and the proceeding cause was traffic accident[38% . 3 The most associated disease was a ipsilateral pneumothorax[59% . 4 Conservative management is an indication in the majority of cases of subcutaneous emphysema because it is usually a self-limited condition and spontaneous remission usually occurs. We conclude that initial effort must be made to detect the underlying cause of the subcutaneous emphysema in order that appropriate management may be undertaken.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.276-279
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• 2015

Subcutaneous emphysema is a benign condition following trauma (pneumothorax and oropharyngeal), cervical or thoracic procedures, and mediastinal infection. However, severe subcutaneous emphysema may be related to serious complications such as respiratory failure, airway compromise, and tension- related phenomena. Many alternative therapies have been tried to treat patients with this condition. We report our experience with vacuum-assisted closure therapy for treating patients with severe subcutaneous emphysema.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.240-243
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• 1998

Subcutaneous emphysema is an unusual and rarely reported complication of tonsillectomy. The more commen complications are hemorrhage, infection and following anesthesia, aspiration, cardiac arrhythmia, and laryngeal trauma can occur. Posttonsillectomy subcutaneous emphysema results directly from the introduction of air into the tonsillar bed either during the surgical procedure itself or in the postoperative period. This condition is generally benign and self limiting and usually requires treatment only for the primary respiratory disease. In this report, we describe a 40-year-old female patient in whom subcutaneous emphysema developed shortly after tonsillectomy. She was observed for 5 days, at which point subcutaneous emphysema was seen on the follow up soft tissue neck X-ray to disappeared.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.69 no.5
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• pp.389-391
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• 2010

Spinal epidural emphysema is rare and has been described secondary to following medical intervention, such as lumbar puncture and epidural analgesia, pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum, degenerative disk disease, epidural abscess, and trauma. Rarely, it occurs after chest tube placement. We report a case of spinal epidural emphysema incidentally noted on HRCT after chest tube placement.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1981.05a
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• pp.8.5-9
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• 1981

Foreign body in the esophagus is not uncommon in the otolaryngological field and esophageal perforation followed by mediastinitis is one of the most serious complications. Authors had experienced such case developed in 69 year old female patient. This woman swallowed a piece of sharp glass accidentally. Severe pain and swelling around the neck developed after ingestion. Marked subcutaneous emphysema was noted on first examination. By esophagoscopy, longitudinal laceration at right lateral wall of the cervical esophagus was noted and a lot of food debries were removed through this perforation, but foreign body could not be found. On third hospital day, patient complained chest pain and dyspnea. Mediastinal widening was noted on chest P-A. Tracheostomy was performed on next day and neck swelling decreased much. In spite of massive antibiotics, mediastinal abscess was developed and external drainage was performed on 15th hospital day. She was discharged on 38th hospital day with marked improvement and recovered completely on follow-up study. Still, we do not know where the foreign body is located.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.1 s.270
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• pp.79-82
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• 2007

Tracheobronchial rupture due to blunt chest trauma is an uncommon injury although the incidence is increasing. Early diagnosis and primary repair of tracheobronchial rupture not only restore a normal lung function but also avoid the difficulties and complications associated with delayed diagnosis and repair We present one case of the tracheal transsection caused by traffic accident. Patient suffered from progressive dyspnea, subcutaneous emphysema on the neck and anterior chest wall and tension pneumothorax at both sides were noted. Although both closed thoracostomy were done, massive air leakage through the chest tube continued and subcutaneous emphysema spread to the anterior abdominal wall and scrotum and the degree of dyspnea aggravated. With the impression of tracheobronchial injury, we performed the emergency operation. Preoperative bronchoscopy at the operation room was proceeded, which revealed the trachea was near totally transsected in transverse direction. Operation was performed through collar incisiion on the anterior neck, and the trachea was anastomosed with 4-0 $Vicryl^{(R)}$ interruptedly. Postoperative course were uneventful and patient discharged without any complications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.663-668
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• 2010

Background: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is an uncommon disorder with few cases reported. It usually occurs in young males and has benign self-limiting course without any apparent concomitant factor. It is seen after intrathoracic pressure changes leading to alveolar rupture. The clinical experiences of two medical centers were reviewed to aid in optimal management. Material and Method: Retrospective review between March 2003 and August 2010 with spontaneous pneumomediastinum patients was performed. Result: 24 patients were identified with a diagnosis of spontaneous pneumomediastinum. These 24 patients were comprised of 18 men and 6 women with mean age 18.9 years (range 10 ~ 33). The major initial complaints were chest pain (79.2%), throat pain (62.5%), and subcutaneous emphysema (41.7%). The triggering events were exercise (16.7%), coughing (12.5%) and vomiting (12.5%). No apparent triggering event was noted in 54.2% of patients. In all cases, chest radiograph and computed tomography was done. Diagnostic computed tomography was required in 25%. White blood cell counts and C-reactive protein (CRP) were checked, and their initial mean values were $9,790{\pm}3,240/{\mu}L$ Land $1.31{\pm}1.71mg/dL$, final mean values were $5,440{\pm}1,665/{\mu}L$ Land $0.72{\pm}0.73mg/dL$, respectively. 23 patients were admitted (average $5.0{\pm}1.8$) and the symptoms were self-limiting in all cases without complications. Conclusion: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a benign condition with mild inflammatory signs that often presents with chest or throat pain. Secondary causes must be ruled out to avoid an unfavorable outcome with less invasive study. Because of very rare complications and recurrence, outpatient basis and shortened hospitalization may be feasible.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.208-212
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• 1996

From 1990 to 1994, 10 patients were treated for tracheobronchial injury due to blunt trauma. 7 injuries resulted from motor vehicle accident. Common presenting signs included subcutaneous emphysema, dyspnea and hemoptysis. The most common radiologic findings were pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and hemothorax. The fiberoptic bronchoscopy was highly accurate method for the diagnosis. The operation method is simple closure except one patien underwent right pneumonectomy. One patient died because of respiratory distress and 9 patients recovered uneventfully and returned to normal activity. Early recognition and proper treatment of tracheobronchial injury is important.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1983.05a
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• pp.5.1-5
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• 1983

Esophageal foreign body is not uncommon problem among the esophageal disease and it is cured by removal of foreign body under the esophagoscopy in the most case. But it can cause esophageal perforation, periesophageal abscess, mediastinitis, pneumothorax, pyothorax, lung abscess and subcutaneous emphysema, and then may threat the life if early diagnosis and prompt management is not carried out. Esophageal perforation can be developed by sharp pieces of metal, bone or long term lodgement of foreign bodies in the esophagus. The authors have experienced the patient with periesophageal abscess after drawing out the sharp fish bone, and achived the good result by drainage via cervical mediastinotomy with continuous irrigation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.675-680
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• 2010

Background: The aim of this study was to identify the distinguishing clinicoradiologic findings of traumatic tracheobronchial injury. Material and Method: Between January 2003 and December 2009, six patients who underwent surgical repair for traumatic tracheobronchial injury due to blunt trauma were included in this study. We evaluated the mechanism of the injury, the coexisting injuries, the time until the making diagnosis and treatment, the diagnostic methods, the anatomic location of the injury and the surgical outcomes. Result: The mechanisms of injury were traffic accident and crushing forces. The frequent symptoms were subcutaneous emphysema, dyspnea and pain, and the common radiologic findings were pneumothorax, mediastinal emphysema, rib fracture and lung contusion. Only 2 patients were diagnosed by chest CT and the others were not diagnosed preoperatively. The location of injury was the trachea in 2 patients and the bronchial tree in 4 patients. There was no postoperative mortality or anastomotic leak; however, vocal cord palsy occurred in one patient. The most distinguishing sign was persistent lung collapse even though the chest tube was connected with negative pressure. Conclusion: Although it was not easy to diagnose traumatic tracheobronchial injury without a clinical suspicion, the distinguishing clinical symptoms and CT findings could help to make an early diagnosis without performing bronchoscopy.