OBJECTIVE Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgical (VATS) lung biopsy is frequently used in the diagnosis of parenchymal lung disease. However, there is still debate over the need for routine use of an intercostal chest drain after this procedure. This study aimed to evaluate the necessity of positioning an intercostal chest drain as an integral part of VATS lung biopsy. METHODS Data from VATS l...

We report a rare case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum due to perforation of sigmoid cancer in a patient suffering from Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome and temporal arteritis, two rare diseases. This patient, who generally receives corticosteroid and methotrexate therapy, was admitted to hospital with vague abdominal and left flank pain, urinary disorders and low grade fever one day prior to admi...

We describe a case of surgical emphysema, pneumomediastinum and bilateral pneumothoraces which occurred some hours after general anaesthesia for a repeat laparoscopy and followed persistent nausea and vomiting. We report the case because of the unexpected and delayed appearance, which led to delay in diagnosis and management. We suggest that this intrathoracic air leak was a consequence of post...

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema also known as Hamman's syndrome is a very rare complication of labor that is often related to the valsalva maneuver during the labor. In most case, Hamman's syndrome is a self-limiting condition, rarely complicated unless there are underlying respiratory diseases. Chest X-ray can be a useful early diagnostic technique in severe clinical p...

Paratracheal air cysts are collections of air adjacent to the trachea. These lesions are usually an incidental finding at routine chest computed tomography (CT) scan, and their frequency is probably underestimated, because almost all patients are asymptomatic.1 Differential diagnosis of paratracheal air cysts includes tracheal diverticulum, pharyngocele, laryngocele, Zenker diverticulum, apical...

Pneumothorax is a relatively common condition that is usually managed either conservatively, by chest tube drainage or, if a refractory air leak persists, then with cardiothoracic intervention. However, there is a small group of patients with a persistent air leak in whom surgical intervention is felt to be inappropriate. This study looks at a novel management strategy in a patient presenting w...

Air leaks are a common problem after pulmonary resection and can be a source of significant morbidity and mortality. The authors describe the case of a 68-year-old male patient who presented with a persistent air-leak after pulmonary resection. Watchful waiting, surgical procedures, as well as medical therapy like pleurodesis and implantation of endobronchial one-way valves on the bronchial seg...

In developed countries, bacterial tracheitis is an uncommon cause of acute upper airway obstruction in children, but the majority (57–91%) of patients who present with this illness require invasive mechanical ventilation.1-3 Bacterial tracheitis is also associated with numerous complications, including ARDS, air leak syndromes, septic shock, and multiple organ dysfunction.1-3 We describe the fi...

To cite: Moreira-Silva S, Urbano J, Rocha G, et al. BMJ Case Rep Published online: [please include Day Month Year] doi:10.1136/ bcr-2015-213623 DESCRIPTION Pneumothorax complicates 1–6% of transbronchial biopsies whereas pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema are rare complications of this procedure. Pneumomediastinum is defined as an abnormal accumulation of air within the mediastinum. I...

The association between epidermolysis bullosa (EB) and congenital pyloric atresia (CPA) named Carmi Syndrome is rare. We report unusual and morbid complication of gastric perforation resulting in peritonitis in a preterm neonate born with Carmi Syndrome.