latrogenic Mediastinal Emphysema and Subcutaneous Emphysema Induced by Bronchoscopic Examination

Abstract

A 79-year-old man presented with fever of unknown origin with interstitial shadows in the bilateral lung fields. A bronchoscopic examination did not indicate any malignancy or specific interstitial disease. After the bronchoscopic examination, the patient gradually developed subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema. As the subcutaneous emphysema and mediastinal emphysema were mild, the patient was not administered any specific treatment. However, he eventually developed severe subcutaneous emphysema and mediastinal emphysema, and did not show any transient improvement. The patient underwent another bronchoscopic examination at another centre and a lacerated wound was detected. Thereafter, emergent operation was performed.