Pneumomediastinum following spontaneous vaginal delivery: report of a rare phenomenon

Dania Badran; Safiyah Ismail; James Ashcroft

doi:10.1093/jscr/rjaa076

Pneumomediastinum following spontaneous vaginal delivery: report of a rare phenomenon

J Surg Case Rep. 2020 Jun 17;2020(6):rjaa076. doi: 10.1093/jscr/rjaa076. eCollection 2020 Jun.

Authors

Dania Badran¹, Safiyah Ismail¹, James Ashcroft²

Affiliations

¹ Imperial College London Medical Faculty, South Kensington, London, UK.
² Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, St Mary's Hospital Campus, 10th Floor, QEQM Building, Praed Street, London, UK.

Abstract

Pneumomediastinum is the presence of mediastinal air, which raises concern for life-threatening conditions such as esophageal perforation and mediastinitis. Here, we described the case of a young female with no previous past medical history, who developed spontaneous pneumomediastinum following uncomplicated spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) giving birth to a healthy newborn at full term. The incidence of benign pneumomediastinum following SVD is estimated at 1 in 100 000 deliveries. This case explores the etiology of this rare presentation, recommends essential investigations and advises on pertinent clinical considerations.

Keywords: pneumomediastinum; postpartum; pregnancy; upper gastrointestinal surgery.

Publication types

Case Reports