Pneumoperitoneum recurring concomitantly with asthmatic exacerbation

Three cases of intra-abdominal free air onset associated with COPD treated conservatively

Pneumoperitoneum is caused by respiratory disease in rare cases and can be treated conservatively. It is important to confirm physical abdominal examinations, laboratory data, and radiological findings to avoid unnecessary surgical procedures. The diagnosis of pneumoperitoneum associated with respiratory disease requires the exclusion of other fatal illnesses, especially gastrointestinal perforation.

Massive Pneumoperitoneum Presenting as an Incidental Finding

Pneumoperitoneum is often associated with surgical complications or intra-abdominal sepsis. While commonly deemed a surgical emergency, pneumoperitoneum in a minority of cases does not involve a viscus perforation or require urgent surgical management; these cases of “spontaneous pneumoperitoneum” can stem from a variety of etiologies. We report a case of a 72-year-old African American male with a history of metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma who presented with new-onset abdominal distention and an incidentally discovered massive pneumoperitoneum with no clear source of perforation on surveillance imaging. His exam was non-peritonitic, so no surgical intervention was recommended. He was treated with bowel rest, intravenous antibiotics, and hydration. He had a relatively benign clinical course with preserved gastrointestinal function and had complete resolution of his pneumoperitoneum on imaging two months after discharge. This case highlights the importance of considering non-surgical causes of pneumoperitoneum, as well as conservative management, when approaching patients with otherwise benign abdominal exams.

Pneumomediastinum, pneumorachis, subcutaneous emphysema: An unusual complication of leukemia in a child

Pneumorrhachis (PR), or epidural emphysema, denotes the presence of air in the spinal epidural space. It can be associated with a variety of etiologies, including trauma; recent iatrogenic manipulations during surgical, anesthesiological and diagnostic interventions; malignancy and its associated therapy. It usually represents an asymptomatic epiphenomenon but also can be symptomatic by itself, as well as by its underlying pathology, and rarely can be fatal. The pathogenesis and etiology of PR are varied and can sometimes be a diagnostic challenge. As such, there are no standard guidelines for the management of symptomatic PR and its treatment is often individualized. Here, we present a case of a 14-year-old boy treated for leukemia who developed this complication and whether chemotherapy related or not, it proved to be fatal for him. To our knowledge, this is the first case in the literature of this complication with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

An unusual case of abdominal distension: pneumoperitoneum secondary to pneumomediastinum in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

A 68-year-old lady with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease presented with vomiting and abdominal pain. On examination her abdomen was grossly distended, diffusely tender and hyper-resonant. Imaging showed dilated loops of bowel and free air in the abdomen with no intestinal perforation. The free abdominal air had come down from the thorax by dissecting down around the oesophagus. A pneumomediastinum was present in her chest, secondary to her extensive emphysematous disease. She was treated conservatively and her pneumomediastinum resolved several weeks later, with subsequent resumption of intestinal motility and return to premorbid function. Surgical intervention would not have helped her condition.

Asthma: an imaging update

Significant advances continue in the subjective and quantifiable imaging features of asthma. Radiologists need to be aware of not only the general features, but also potential asthma mimics as well as complications.

Subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, pneumoperitoneum, and pneumoretroperitoneum by insufflation of compressed air at the external genitalia in a child

A 7-year-old girl with concurrent subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, pneumoperitoneum, and pneumoretroperitoneum arrived at our facility. Compressed air at 5 atm of pressure was insufflated through the nozzle of a spray gun over her external genitalia. She was admitted for a small amount of genital bleeding and significant subcutaneous emphysema extending from the cheek to the upper body. Radiographic examination of the abdomen was suggestive of a visceral perforation, but she was managed conservatively and discharged in satisfactory condition without surgical intervention. The female genitalia possibly served as the entry point for air into the retroperitoneum and peritoneal cavity, with subsequent migration of air through the esophageal hiatus that resulted in pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, and extensive subcutaneous emphysema.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum: diagnostic and therapeutic interventions

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this case series is to review our experience with spontaneous pneumomediastinum, review the available literature, and refine the current clinical approach to this uncommon condition.

METHODS

The case notes of all patients admitted to the George Washington University Medical Center with spontaneous pneumomediastinum from April 2005 to June 2008 were retrospectively reviewed, indentifying seventeen patients on whom various data was collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

The typical patient is a young man. The commonest presenting complaint is chest pain. Odynophagia and subcutaneous emphysema are common. Leucocytosis is uncommon. The need for swallow studies, antibiotics, and prolonged hospitalization is uncommon. Most patients have no recurrences or sequelae on long-term follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is an uncommon, self-limiting condition. Due to concerns for the integrity of the aero-digestive tract, the finding of spontaneous pneumomediastinum usually results in unnecessary radiological investigations, dietary restriction and antibiotic administration with prolonged hospitalization.