Combined Epidural Emphysema and Nonsurgical Pneumoperitoneum After Blunt Trauma: Report of Two Cases and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Epidural emphysema is a rare condition, and when occurs in isolation it is usually benign and resolves spontaneously after the underlying cause has been treated. Epidural emphysema is usually accompanied by pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema, or pneumomediastinum. In addition, nonsurgical (benign) pneumoperitoneum is a state of the presence of air in the peritoneal space, not requiring surgical intervention. Although nonsurgical pneumoperitoneum can arise in different ways, generally pneumomediastinum or pneumothorax is observed in cases with an intrathoracic source. We report two cases of combined traumatic epidural emphysema and nonsurgical pneumoperitoneum in patients with pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and extensive subcutaneous emphysema after blunt trauma.