[Life-threatening subcutaneous emphysema after minor blow to the neck]
- Resource Type
- Authors
- C, Neuhäuser; T, Kroll; G, Wolf; H, Uhlich; L, Tomczyk; M, Schwarzer; M, Rohde; H, Spors; L, Naehrlich; N, Mazhari; D, Litzlbauer; C, Jux
- Source
- Der Anaesthesist. 68(2)
- Subject
- Male
Neck Injuries
Child, Preschool
Intubation, Intratracheal
Humans
Endoscopy
Airway Management
Subcutaneous Emphysema
- Language
- German
- ISSN
- 1432-055X
After a minor blow to the neck from the handlebars of a bike, a 5-year-old boy developed a massive subcutaneous emphysema with respiratory distress. Orotracheal intubation was performed. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the neck and thorax showed a pneumomediastinum and a bilateral pneumothorax. No injury to the large airways was identified. The patient was stabilized by insertion of chest tubes and controlled ventilation. The endoscopic examination of the trachea revealed a tear of the pars membranacea, which was successfully treated conservatively. The specific features of the injury and the airway management are discussed based on a review of the current literature.