Tuberc Respir Dis.  2010 Nov;69(5):389-391.

Epidural Emphysema Associated with Subcutaneous Emphysema after Chest Tube Placement: A Case Report

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Radiology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea. rhoji@naver.com

Abstract

Spinal epidural emphysema is rare and has been described secondary to following medical intervention, such as lumbar puncture and epidural analgesia, pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum, degenerative disk disease, epidural abscess, and trauma. Rarely, it occurs after chest tube placement. We report a case of spinal epidural emphysema incidentally noted on HRCT after chest tube placement.

Keyword

Epidural Space; Emphysema; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

MeSH Terms

Analgesia, Epidural
Chest Tubes
Emphysema
Epidural Abscess
Epidural Space
Mediastinal Emphysema
Pneumothorax
Spinal Puncture
Subcutaneous Emphysema
Thorax
Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Figure

  • Figure 1 Initial chest radiograph revealed the right pneumothorax without subcutaneous emphysema.

  • Figure 2 Follow-up chest radiograph after chest tube placement revealed the generalized subcutaneous emphysema at right chest wall and both cervical space. Also progression of right pneumothorax was seen.

  • Figure 3 HRCT scan at the level of C7 and T1 revealed spinal epidural emphysema. (A) Subcutaneous emphysema (arrowhead) extended into the epidural space through the neural foramen (arrow). (B) Right pneumothorax as well as multiple apical bullae was seen.


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