Tuberc Respir Dis.  2001 Dec;51(6):585-589. 10.4046/trd.2001.51.6.585.

A Case of Severe Asthma Complicated with Pneumoperitoneum and Pneumomediastinum During AMBU Ventilation

• Cho H
• Choi BM
• Jung HK
• Park JY
• Jang BI
• Sunwoo MO
• Seo CH
• Sung HD
• Sin MJ
• Hwang SC

• KMID: 2160047
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2001.51.6.585

Abstract

Pneumoperitoneum, Pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema and a pneumothorax are some of the mechanical complications of bronchial asthma. The incidence of pneumoperitoneum during an attack of acute asthma is rare. The pathogenesis is free gas track from the overdistended alveoli, through the bronchovascular sheaths to the mediastinum. If the high pressure is maintained, air can escape retroperitoneally into the abdomen and burst into the peritoneal cavity. A 43-year-old woman was admitted due to a severe asthma attack. She was required endotracheal intubation and AMBU(air mask bag unit) ventilation. Immediately after these procedures, pneumoperiotneum, pneumomediastinum, and subcutaneous emphysema daveloped. She was treated with mechanical ventilation and medical therapy. The pneumoperitoneum was resolved after 27 days. Here, we report this case with the review of the relevant literature.

Keyword

Pneumoperitoneum; Pneumomediastinum; Severe Asthma; AMBU ventilation

MeSH Terms

Abdomen
Adult
Asthma*
Female
Humans
Incidence
Intubation, Intratracheal
Masks
Mediastinal Emphysema*
Mediastinum
Peritoneal Cavity
Pneumoperitoneum*
Pneumothorax
Respiration, Artificial
Subcutaneous Emphysema
United Nations
Ventilation*