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Case Reports
. 2021 Jun 23;13(6):e15871.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.15871. eCollection 2021 Jun.

A Case of Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum Following Ecstasy and Marijuana Use

Mishouri Paul  1 , Prodip Paul  2 , Dipon Dey  3 , Amit Bhardwaj  2 , Koushik Paul  4
Affiliations
Case Reports

A Case of Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum Following Ecstasy and Marijuana Use

Mishouri Paul et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is a benign and self-limiting condition more commonly seen in young adults. Radiology imaging of the chest, including X-ray or CT scan, is the gold standard for diagnosis. Ecstasy, also known as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a synthetic amphetamine derivative widely abused for an increased sense of well-being and euphoria. Marijuana is also abused for recreational purposes. SPM has been reported after both Ecstasy and marijuana use. SPM after these illicit drugs abuse usually has a benign and self-limiting course with supportive management. However, it is always important to rule out serious associated conditions like esophageal perforation. Here, we present a 22-year-old male who developed SPM after Ecstasy ingestion and marijuana inhalation.

Keywords: boerhaave's syndrome; ecstasy; marijuana; pneumomediastinum; subcutaneous emphysema.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Chest x-ray showing subcutaneous emphysema (red arrows) and pneumomediastinum (white arrows)
Figure 2
Figure 2. CT scan of the neck with intravenous contrast (sagittal section) showing gas tracking into the retropharyngeal space (red arrows)
L - left
Figure 3
Figure 3. Axial CT scan showing curvilinear lucencies along mediastinal structures compatible with pneumomediastinum (red arrows)
Figure 4
Figure 4. Chest x-ray showing improvement in pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema
L - left; PA - posteroanterior
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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