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A Short Note On Emphysema And Pneumomediastinum : The Presence Of Air Or Other Gases Within The Confines Of Mediastinal Structures

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Mediastinal emphysema or pneumomediastinum is the presence of air or other gases within the confines of mediastinal structures. First described by Laennec in 1819 [1], the main causes of pneumomediastinum are trauma, tracheobronchial or oesophageal-bronchial fistulas, invasive procedures (cervical, thoracic, or abdominal), positive-pressure ventilation, coughing, vomiting, Valsalva manoeuvre, physical exertion, and inhaled drug use, among others [2]. It rarely occurs in the absence of pulmonary disease or other precipitating factors. In this case, it is referred to as spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) [3]. SPM is rare in adults, with young male individuals being the most frequently affected, with a male/female ratio of 8 to 1 [2].
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Although phenotypic features and deletion sizes are variable, deletion of 16q22 appears to be critical for manifestations of the syndrome [5]. A review of published reports of 7 patients with different deletions of regions 16q21 to 16q24, including 1 patient with a 16q13-q22 deletion, and noted that there was a constellation of similar features [5]. The most common features exhibited by the affected individuals were low birth weight, hypotonia, feeding disturbances, failure to thrive, and delayed psychomotor development. The characteristic dysmorphic features included prominent forehead, wide anterior fontanel, diastasis of cranial sutures, blepharostenosis, hypertelorism, broad nasal bridge, low-set and deformed ears, and short neck while narrow thorax and ectopic anus were less commonly seen. The most common deleted region was 16q22 [5]. SPM is not a recognised feature of this syndrome.
She was on daily oral doses of Tacrolimus 1gm, Prednisone 7.5 mg, Acyclovir800mg, Variconazole 400mg, Bactrim (800mg/160mg) thrice a week and Thyroxine 75mcg. She was allergic to Amoxycillin and Naproxen.
She lived with her mother, was a non-smoker and denied any illicit or recreational drug use.
On the initial presentation to Emergency department with worsening dyspnoea, dry cough and neck tightness. The patient was afebrile, acyanotic, tachypnoiec (respiratory rate of 36 per minute), tachycardic (heart rate of 166 per

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