Extensive Pneumomediastinum With Subcuaneous Emphysema In A Case Of Olivopontocerebellar Degeneration With Bronchial Asthma

A 35-year old female known to have Olivopontocerebellar degeneration and bronchial asthma was admitted with a severe episode of breathlessness, wheezing and cough along with retrosternal pain. Clinical examination revealed features cosnistent with severe asthma and subcutaneous emphysema of cervical and upper thoracic areas. Radiographic imaging revealed extensive subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium. Treatment of the asthma resulted in rapid recovery of the bronchospasm and resolution of the pneumomediastinum over a period of 2 weeks. Development of chest pain or sudden worsening of asthma in a patient should prompt a search for the appearance of pneumomediastium.