Journal List > Tuberc Respir Dis > v.61(2) > 1000987

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Kim, Uom, Lee, Huh, Kwon, Jang, Kim, and Jung: The Treatment of Massive Spontaneous Subcutaneous Emphysema by Multiple Intravenous Catheter and Continuous Suction Drainage
Case Report
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2006; 61(2): 178-183.

Published online: 31 August 2006

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2006.61.2.178

The Treatment of Massive Spontaneous Subcutaneous Emphysema by Multiple Intravenous Catheter and Continuous Suction Drainage

Sun Young Kim, M.D., Kwang Seok Uom, M.D., Young Seok Lee, M.D., Kyung Rim Huh, M.D., Chin Woo Kwon, M.D., Seung Hun Jang, M.D., Dong Gyu Kim, M.D., Ki Suck Jung, M.D.

Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Colleage of Medicine, Anyang, Korea.

Address for correspondence: Ki Suck Jung, M.D., Ph.D. Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University, Sacred Heart Hospital, 896 Pyungan-dong, Dongan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do 431-070, Republic of Korea. Phone: 82-31-380-3715, Fax: 82-31-380-3976, pulmoks@hallym.ac.kr

Received 11 May 2006       Accepted 23 June 2006

Copyright © 2006 The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

Abstract

A-61-year-old COPD patient was hospitalized due to dyspnea and was diagnosed with acute exacerbation of COPD. During the hospital stay, the patient's dyspnea was aggravated by massive spontaneous subcutaneous emphysema. Multiple 16 gauge intravenous catheters were inserted at the midclavicular line for drainage. Although subcutaneous catheter drainage was carried out, respiratory failure developed with an increased in massive subcutaneous emphysema. Continuous suction drainage with wall suction was applied resulting in the rapid resolution of the subcutaneous emphysema. We report a case of the that effective management of massive subcutaneous emphysema using multiple 16 gauge intravenous catheters with continuous suction.

Keywords: Massive spontaneous subcutaneous emphysema, Catheter drainage, Continuous suction

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
Chest X-ray shows massive subcutaneous emphysema(A). After continuous suction drainage with multiple intravenous catheters insertion, subcutaneous emphysema resolved(B).
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Figure 2
High Resolution Computed Tomography of chest shows upper thorax(A) and lower thorax(B) of patient. High resolution computed tomography shows massive subcutaneous emphysema from cervical to chest wall, bilateral pneumothorax, pnemomediastinum, diffuse bilateral emphysema and bullaes and inactive pulmonary tuberculosis and pleural thickening in LUL and superior segment of LLL.
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Figure 3
Gross appearance(A) and schematic diagram(B) of multiple intravenous catheters and continuous suction drainage by wall suction.
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