Pneumomediastinum Complicating Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Boerhaave’s Syndrome

Abstract EN

An 18-year-old man presented with altered mental status.

He was found to have diabetic ketoacidosis.

Chest X-ray showed pneumomediastinum.

After intubation for air-way protection, an oral-gastric tube was placed.

A chest computed tomography scan showed the tip of the oral-gastric tube to be in the right hemithorax.

The patient underwent a thoracotomy and was managed in the intensive care unit.

Both diabetic ketoacidosis and Boerhaave's syndrome should be considered as possible causes of pneumomediastinum in a patient with similar presentation.

Boerhaave's syndrome should be ruled out prior to the insertion of an oral-gastric tube to avoid further morbidities.