Pulmonary Barotrauma Including Huge Pulmonary Interstitial Emphysema in an Adult with Status Asthmaticus: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges

Authors

• Ahmed Khedher Medical Intensive Care Unit, Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
• Khaoula Meddeb Medical Intensive Care Unit, Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
• Nesrine Sma Medical intensive care unit of Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse Tunisia
• Abdelbaki Azouzi Medical Intensive Care Unit, Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
• Nesrine Fraj Medical Intensive Care Unit, Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
• Mohamed Boussarsar Medical Intensive Care Unit, Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia

hamadi.boussarsar@gmail.com

Keywords

Abstract

Introduction: Pulmonary interstitial emphysema is a rare finding defined as abnormal air collection inside the lung interstitial tissues. Described more frequently in ventilated new-borns, pulmonary interstitial emphysema is an uncommon barotrauma-related complication in adults. Management and clinical sequelae are poorly described.

Patient: We describe the case of a 64-year-old man who presented with huge pulmonary interstitial emphysema together with simultaneous pulmonary barotrauma in status asthmaticus requiring invasive ventilation.

Discussion: There are no guidelines for the management of such complications and their possible sequelae but conservative treatment seems to be effective. The treatment of our patient is described.