Logo American Journal of Case Reports

Call: 1.631.629.4328
Mon-Fri 10 am - 2 pm EST

Contact Us

Logo American Journal of Case Reports Logo American Journal of Case Reports Logo American Journal of Case Reports

25 October 2018 : Case report  Ecuador

Pneumomediastinum, Tracheal Diverticulum, and Probable Asthma: Coincidence or Possible Association? A Case Report

Rare coexistence of disease or pathology

Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda12AEF*, Miguel Felix12ABEF, Emanuel Vanegas12ABCDEF, Valeria L. Mata12AEF

DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.911413

Am J Case Rep 2018; 19:1267-1271

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Many conditions and triggers have been identified and associated with spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM), including asthma, strenuous exercise, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetic ketoacidosis, inhalational drugs, and other activities associated with the Valsalva maneuver. Among rare findings reported in patients with SPM is tracheal diverticulum. We present a case of SPM that on further evaluation was noted to have a tracheal diverticulum, together with a possible diagnosis of asthma.

CASE REPORT: A 25-year-old male was admitted to the hospital for dyspnea and chest pain. Based on initial assessment, laboratory findings, and imaging, he was diagnosed with SPM. Recovery was successful, and the patient was discharged 3 days later. Follow-up at 2 weeks revealed an abnormality on imaging and abnormal pulmonary function tests. A computed tomography scan revealed a tracheal diverticulum located on the right posterolateral region of the trachea at T1 level. Pulmonary function tests abnormalities included: high fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), high lung clearance index (LCI), and elevated diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO).

CONCLUSIONS: Although the patient presented with a normal spirometry, the FeNO, LCI, and DLCO findings proved valuable and suggested a possible diagnosis of asthma. The anatomic weakness associated with the tracheal diverticulum could have been the breaking point of sustained increased pressure in the airways, due to a possible asthma exacerbation. In retrospective, we hypothesized this to be a series of events that ultimately ended as a pneumomediastinum.

Keywords: Asthma, Pneumomediastinum, Diagnostic, Respiratory Function Tests, Tracheal Diseases

Add Comment 0 Comments

In Press

12 Feb 2024 : Case report  Germany

Diagnostic Challenges and Imaging Considerations for Intraparotid Facial Nerve Schwannoma: A Case Report an...

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942870  

0:00

12 Feb 2024 : Case report  USA

Erdheim-Chester Disease Occult on Radiographs and CT but Visible on MRI and PET

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.941169  

0:00

12 Feb 2024 : Case report  USA

Surgical Treatment of Spontaneous Superficial Temporal Artery Arteriovenous Malformation: A Case Report

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942839  

13 Feb 2024 : Case report  Bahrain

Warfarin Woes: A Rare Case of Hemoperitoneum with Intramural Small Bowel Hematoma

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943519  

Most Viewed Current Articles

10 Jan 2022 : Case report  Germany

A Report on the First 7 Sequential Patients Treated Within the C-Reactive Protein Apheresis in COVID (CACOV...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935263

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935263

19 Jul 2022 : Case report  Saudi Arabia

Atlantoaxial Subluxation Secondary to SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Rare Orthopedic Complication from COVID-19

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.936128

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e936128

05 Mar 2022 : Case report  Brazil

Acute Limb Ischemia After Self-Injection of Crushed Morphine Tablets into the Radial Artery: Role of Infrar...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935336

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935336

02 Apr 2022 : Case report  Saudi Arabia

Infective Endocarditis Caused by Pseudomonas luteola in a Pediatric Patient. A Case Report and Review of Li...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935743

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935743

Your Privacy

We use cookies to ensure the functionality of our website, to personalize content and advertising, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. If you allow us to do so, we also inform our social media, advertising and analysis partners about your use of our website, You can decise for yourself which categories you you want to deny or allow. Please note that based on your settings not all functionalities of the site are available. View our privacy policy.

American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923
American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923