Pneumomediastinum after cocaine use: an unusual aetiology

Kunal Chudasama; Marlon Seenath; David Gourevitch

doi:10.1093/jscr/2010.1.3

Pneumomediastinum after cocaine use: an unusual aetiology

J Surg Case Rep. 2010 Mar 1;2010(1):3. doi: 10.1093/jscr/2010.1.3.

Authors

Kunal Chudasama¹, Marlon Seenath¹, David Gourevitch¹

Affiliation

¹ University Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.

Abstract

We describe an interesting case of pneumomediastinum secondary to cocaine abuse. The patient presented with severe chest pain following nasal inhalation of a large quantity of cocaine. Investigations revealed no chest injury; however oesophagitis was proven leading to a possible aetiology of oesophageal microperforation. After conservative management there was spontaneous resolution of the pneumomediastinum.