Spontaneous pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema complicating bronchiolitis obliterans after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation--case report and review of literature

Abstract

Chronic graft-versus-host disease occurring in the setting of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) can affect many organ systems, is a cause of significant morbidity, and contributes to late deaths. Bronchiolitis obliterans is a form of obstructive airway disease; when seen in the post-BMT setting, it is considered a manifestation of chronic graft-versus-host disease. Air-leak syndromes including pneumothoraces, pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema are rare complications of bronchiolitis obliterans. Here we describe a patient who developed pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, subcutaneous emphysema and pneumothorax secondary to severe bronchiolitis obliterans complicating the post bone marrow transplantation course.