Pneumomediastinum after smoking cocaine: A case report and review of literature

Abstract

Cocaine abuse has become more affordable and popular amongst drug abusers locally in recent years. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is an uncommon but a well-reported complication after smoking "crack" cocaine in the West. We report a case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum after smoking cocaine. The patient was managed conservatively and he recovered uneventfully. A review of literature on the mechanism, clinical presentation and management is presented.