Subcutaneous Emphysema, Pneumomediastinum, and Pneumorrhachis after Cocaine Inhalation
Joint Authors
Pamukçu Günaydın, Gül
Atmaca Temrel, Tuğba
Şener, Alp
İçme, Ferhat
Gökhan, Şervan
Otal, Yavuz
Kurtoğlu Çelik, Gülhan
Özhasenekler, Ayhan
Source
Case Reports in Emergency Medicine
Issue
Vol. 2015, Issue 2015 (31 Dec. 2015), pp.1-3, 3 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2015-07-08
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
3
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Introduction.
The most prominent complications of cocaine use are adverse effects in the cardiovascular and central nervous systems.
Free air in the mediastinum and subcutaneous tissue may be observed less frequently, whereas free air in the spinal canal (pneumorrhachis) is a very rare complication of cocaine abuse.
In this report we present a case of pneumorrhachis that developed after cocaine use.
Case.
A 28-year-old male patient was admitted to the emergency department with shortness of breath, chest pain, and swelling in the neck and face which started four hours after he had sniffed cocaine.
On physical examination, subcutaneous crepitations were felt with palpation of the jaw, neck, and upper chest area.
Diffuse subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, and pneumorrhachis were detected in the computed tomography imaging.
The patient was treated conservatively and discharged uneventfully.
Discussion.
Complications such as pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and pneumoperitoneum that are associated with cocaine use may be seen due to increased intrathoracic pressure.
The air then may flow into the spinal canal resulting in pneumorrhachis.
Emergency physicians should know the possible complications of cocaine use and be prepared for rare complications such as pneumorrhachis.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Atmaca Temrel, Tuğba& Şener, Alp& İçme, Ferhat& Pamukçu Günaydın, Gül& Gökhan, Şervan& Otal, Yavuz…[et al.]. 2015. Subcutaneous Emphysema, Pneumomediastinum, and Pneumorrhachis after Cocaine Inhalation. Case Reports in Emergency Medicine،Vol. 2015, no. 2015, pp.1-3.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1058437
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Atmaca Temrel, Tuğba…[et al.]. Subcutaneous Emphysema, Pneumomediastinum, and Pneumorrhachis after Cocaine Inhalation. Case Reports in Emergency Medicine No. 2015 (2015), pp.1-3.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1058437
American Medical Association (AMA)
Atmaca Temrel, Tuğba& Şener, Alp& İçme, Ferhat& Pamukçu Günaydın, Gül& Gökhan, Şervan& Otal, Yavuz…[et al.]. Subcutaneous Emphysema, Pneumomediastinum, and Pneumorrhachis after Cocaine Inhalation. Case Reports in Emergency Medicine. 2015. Vol. 2015, no. 2015, pp.1-3.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1058437
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1058437