Spontaneous pneumomediastinum in a patient with bronchiolitis obliterans after bone marrow transplantation

Bone Marrow Transplant. 1997 Oct;20(8):695-6. doi: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1700939.

Abstract

After allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for chronic myelogenous leukemia, spontaneous pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema developed in a patient with bronchiolitis obliterans. Computed tomography scanning of the chest failed to reveal the cause. There was no evidence of a pulmonary process, pneumothorax, or pharyngeal or upper airway leak. Despite the alarming appearance of the patient, conservative management, including high-flow oxygen, resulted in resolution of the pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema. The cause of pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema in bone marrow transplant recipients is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Bronchiolitis Obliterans / etiology*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / etiology
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / complications*
  • Male
  • Mediastinal Emphysema / etiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Subcutaneous Emphysema / etiology