Epidural emphysema associated with subcutaneous emphysema following foreign body in the airway

Abstract

Epidural emphysema is a rare condition and usually accompanies pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema (SCE), or pneumomediastinum. We report a child who presented with epidural emphysema (pneumorachis) and SCE. The child was subsequently found to have a foreign body obstructing the airway, which was the likely cause of the pneumorachis. Thus, foreign body aspiration should be considered in an infant with SCE, and early intervention in the form of bronchoscopy should to be done to arrest the condition's progressive nature.