Exacerbation of Pneumomediastinum After Air Travel in a Patient with Dermatomyositis

Author： Ye Qiuyue Zhang Lu Tian Xinlun Shi Juhong

Publisher： Aerospace Medical Association

ISSN： 0095-6562

Source： Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, Vol.82, Iss.7, 2011-07, pp. : 734-736

Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.

Previous Menu Next

Abstract

Ye Q, Zhang L, Tian X, Shi J. Exacerbation of pneumomediastinum after air travel in a patient with dermatomyositis. Aviat Space Environ Med 2011; 82:734–6. Background: Although the presence of pneumothorax is generally considered an absolute contraindication to air travel, reports on pneumomediastinum after air travel are extremely rare. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, exacerbation of existing pneumomediastinum after commercial air travel has never been reported. Case Report: We report on a case of a patient (the first case that we are aware of) who suffered exacerbation of pneumomediastinum after commercial air travel. This patient, with confirmed pneumomediastinum before air travel, flew to our city for medical care without being warned about exacerbation by the local hospital or airlines. Obvious exacerbation of pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema was noticed after the travel. Subsequently, a diagnosis of amyopathic dermatomyositis with interstitial lung disease and pneumomediastinum was made. The patient died despite treatment with corticosteroid, cyclophosphamide and intravenous immunoglobulin. This report discusses this rare condition and offers suggestions regarding air travel for patients with presence of pneumomediastinum at the time of flight.