Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum and Subcutaneous Emphysema: A Rare Case Report Following Vaginal Delivery

Abstract

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is a rare clinical condition characterized by the presence of free air in the mediastinum. It is infrequently encountered during pregnancy and childbirth and usually follows a benign course. This report presents the case of a 29-year-old primigravida woman who developed pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema after vaginal delivery, manifesting with chest pain and dyspnea. The patient had a body mass index at the threshold of obesity, and repetitive Valsalva maneuvers during labor were considered contributory. Conservative treatment was initiated, including catheter drainage of subcutaneous emphysema and empirical antibiotic therapy. Clinical symptoms resolved completely within five days, and radiological improvement was achieved within one week.

Keywords

• Spontaneous pneumomediastinum
• Hamman syndrome
• vaginal delivery
• subcutaneous emphysema
• Valsalva maneuver

Spontan Pnömomediastinum ve Subkutanöz Amfizem: Vajinal Doğum Sonrası Gelişen Nadir Bir Olgu Sunumu

Abstract

Spontan pnömomediastinum (SPM), mediastende serbest hava varlığı ile karakterize nadir bir klinik tablodur. Gebelik ve doğum sırasında nadiren görülür ve genellikle benign bir seyir izler. Bu yazıda, vajinal doğum sonrası göğüs ağrısı ve dispne ile başvuran 29 yaşında primigravid bir kadında gelişen pnömomediastinum ve subkutanöz amfizem olgusu sunulmuştur. Hastanın beden kitle indeksi obezite sınırındaydı ve doğum sırasında tekrarlayan Valsalva manevralarının duruma katkıda bulunduğu düşünüldü. Subkutanöz amfizeme yönelik kateter drenajı ve ampirik antibiyotik tedavisi dâhil olmak üzere konservatif tedavi başlatıldı. Klinik semptomlar beş gün içinde tamamen düzeldi ve radyolojik iyileşme bir hafta içinde sağlandı.

Keywords

• Spontan pnömomediastinum
• Hamman sendromu
• vajinal doğum
• subkutanöz amfizem
• Valsalva manevrası

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