Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum and Subcutaneous Emphysema: An Uncommon Complication of Lung Cancer

Cavitary lung cancer presenting as subcutaneous emphysema on the contralateral side

“…It is well stated that chest X-ray is usually sufficient for diagnosis. CT is the diagnostic test of choice for visualization, localization and diagnosis of bronchial fistulae [4,5,[7][8][9]. Chest X-ray of our patient suggested pneumothorax on the right side.…”

“…In their study, the underlying cause was primary or metastatic lung malignancies in four patients (6%). Borquero-Romero and Redondo-Moralo searched through databases and reported a review of eight cases of spontaneous pneumomediastinum [9]. In all except one, the cases had subcutaneous emphysema, as well.…”

Pneumopericardium, pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax and pneumoretroperitoneum complicating pulmonary metastatic carcinoma in a cat

“…Pneumothorax has been rarely reported secondary to pulmonary neoplasia in both humans and small animals (Kim et al , Pawloski & Broaddus , Liu & Silverstein ). Pneumopericardium and/or pneumomediastinum secondary to pulmonary neoplasia is extremely rare in humans but has never been described in the feline species (Baydur & Gottlieb , Brown & Holt , Kim et al , Leclerc et al , Johnson‐Neitman et al ; Barquero‐Romero & Redondo‐Moralo , Zahid et al , Thomas & Syring ).…”

Adenocarcinoma of the lung presenting with massive subcutaneous emphysema

“…Subcutaneous emphysema associated with secondary SP due to lung cancer is exceedingly rare. A brief review of seven cases was published by Barquero-Romero and Redondo-Moralo 2. Overall prognosis is poor for this group of patients.…”