Spontaneous pnemomedastinum in acute severe asthma

Spontaneous medastinal emphysema, as a complication of acute severe asthma, is an uncommon entity. It usually runs a benign course and resolves spontaneously without any surgical intervention. Recognition of this complication is critical, as it has to be differentiated from other life threatening ones including oesophageal rupture, Boerhave′s syndrome, acute coronary syndrome and pulmonary embolism. This case is being presented to emphasize its recognition in the differential diagnosis of complications arising from acute severe asthma and to present its management strategy in detail.

Keywords
Spontaneous pneumomedastinum, cervical medastinotomy, tracheostomy, 100% oxygen, Hammans sign