[Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema complicating active labour]

Abstract

Subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum were first described by Hamman in 1945. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is an uncommon, self-limiting condition caused by alveolar rupture and usually results from bronchial hyper-reactivity or barotraumas. We report a case describing a 25 year old patient in her first pregnancy, who during active labour developed subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum. Pneumomediastinum in labour is a rare complication to Valsalva maneuver, and it is diagnosed with a computed tomography. The most common symptoms are chest pain, dyspnea, neck pain and odynophagia.