Pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema, and pneumothorax after a pulmonary function testing in a patient with bleomycin-induced interstitial pneumonitis

Mariana Sponholz Araujo, Frederico Leon Arrabal Fernandes, Fernando Uliana Kay, Carlos Roberto Ribeiro Carvalho

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is an uncommon event, the clinical picture of which includes retrosternal chest pain, subcutaneous emphysema, dyspnea, and dysphonia. The pathophysiological mechanism involved is the emergence of a pressure gradient between the alveoli and surrounding structures, causing alveolar rupture with subsequent dissection of the peribronchovascular sheath and infiltration of the mediastinum and subcutaneous tissue with air. Known triggers include acute exacerbations of asthma and situations that require the Valsalva maneuver. We described and documented with HRCT scans the occurrence of pneumomediastinum after a patient with bleomycin-induced interstitial lung disease underwent pulmonary function testing. Although uncommon, the association between pulmonary function testing and air leak syndromes has been increasingly reported in the literature, and lung diseases, such as interstitial lung diseases, include structural changes that facilitate the occurrence of this complication.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)613-619
Number of pages7
JournalJornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia
Volume39
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2013

Keywords

  • Bleomycin
  • Mediastinal emphysema
  • Spirometry
  • Subcutaneous emphysema

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

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