J Dent Anesth Pain Med.  2016 Jun;16(2):141-145. 10.17245/jdapm.2016.16.2.141.

Occurrence of bilateral pneumothorax during tracheostomy in a patient with deep neck infection

• Kang SH
• Won YJ
• Chang JH

• KMID: 2328858
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17245/jdapm.2016.16.2.141

Abstract

Infection that progresses to deep areas of the neck requires appropriate assessment of the airway, and securing of the airway is critical in patients with deep neck infection. In the patient in our case report, bilateral pneumothorax occurred while performing tracheostomy to the airways of a patient with deep neck infection, and therefore, this paper details the method used to secure the airway of patients with deep neck infection.

Keyword

Deep neck infection; Pneumothorax; Tracheostomy

MeSH Terms

Humans
Methods
Neck*
Pneumothorax*
Tracheostomy*

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Submandibular space abscess (star) on computed tomography (CT) imaging acquired in the emergency room. Neck CT coronal view.

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  Fig. 2 Image of airway evaluation acquired in the emergency room. Neck CT sagittal view.

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  Fig. 3 The right-sided pneumothorax appearing on the chest anteroposterior (AP) radiograph acquired after tracheostomy.

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  Fig. 4 The pneumothorax additionally found in the left lung area on a chest AP radiograph taken in the ICU following thoracentesis using a chest tube in the right lung area previously.

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  Fig. 5 The bilaterally reduced pneumothorax as seen on the chest radiograph taken following bilateral thoracentesis using a chest tube in the bilateral lung area.

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