Two Cases of Newly Diagnosed Asthma with Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum During Asthma Exacerbation

ABSTRACT

Pneumomediastinum, a condition in which air is present in the mediastinum, is generally regarded as a benign, self-limited process. Rare life-threatening causes such as esophageal rupture must be excluded. A 26-year-old woman with allergic rhinitis presented with a 3-day history of increasing dyspnea, wheezing, and chest pain. Her high resolution CT (HRCT) showed extensive pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema without visible airway injury on the CT scan. With application of oxygen through a nasal cannula, bronchodilator inhalation, and systemic steroids, her pneumomediastinum and asthma symptoms were improved. A 30-year-old man with acute exacerbation of newly diagnosed asthma and spontaneous pneumomediastinum was treated with application of oxygen and asthma medication. Here, we reported two cases of newly diagnosed asthma with spontaneous pneumomediastinum during asthma exacerbation.