Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2003;24:638
© 2003 Elsevier Science NL
Images in cardio-thoracic surgery |
An epidural emphysema due to the tracheal laceration that occurred after a blunt trauma: an extremely rare condition
Olgun Kadir Aribasa*,
Fikret Kanatb,
Dilek Emlikc
a Department of Thoracic Surgery, Meram Medical School of Selcuk University, Meram-Konya, Turkey
b Department of Chest Diseases, Meram Medical School of Selcuk University, Meram-Konya, Turkey
c Department of Radiology, Meram Medical School of Selcuk University, Meram-Konya, Turkey
Received 30 April 2003;
received in revised form 9 June 2003;
accepted 15 June 2003.
* Corresponding author. Selcuk Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, Gogus Cerrahisi Anabilim Dali, 42080 Meram-Konya, Turkey. Tel.: +90-332-323-2600x1844; fax: +90-332-323-2641
e-mail: olgun{at}selcuk.edu.tr
Key Words: Pneumorachis • Epidural emphysema • Tracheal laceration • Blunt trauma
An 8-year-old boy was admitted with subcutaneous emphysema and dyspnea after collision of a bicycle handlebar end to the neck region upon falling off. Neurological and orthopedic examinations were normal. Computed tomography demonstrated tracheal laceration, which was also confirmed by bronchoscopy, and free air inside the spinal canal (Fig. 1)
. Pneumorachis resolved spontaneously within 1 week after surgical repair via collar incision (Fig. 2) .
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Fig. 1. Cervical computed tomography scan of the neck showing tracheal laceration (white arrow), and subcutaneous emphysema (white arrowhead) associated with epidural air (black arrow) inside the spinal canal through the right intervertebral foramen (black arrowhead). E, esophagus; C6, 6th cervical spine.
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Fig. 2. Postoperative cervical computed tomography scan of the patient showing resolved epidural emphysema after 1 week.
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