Bilateral spontaneous pneumothoraces with spontaneous pneumomediastinum: An intravenous methamphetamine complication

Objective: To present an unusual case and proposed mechanism of bilateral spontaneous pneumothoraces with pneumomediastinum in a patient with intravenous methamphetamine use. Case report: Thin white man presented with confusion and chest pain after intravenous methamphetamine use. Initial workup fou...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Daniel Guck, Ryan Munyon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2018-01-01
Series:Respiratory Medicine Case Reports
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213007117301892
Description
Summary:Objective: To present an unusual case and proposed mechanism of bilateral spontaneous pneumothoraces with pneumomediastinum in a patient with intravenous methamphetamine use. Case report: Thin white man presented with confusion and chest pain after intravenous methamphetamine use. Initial workup found bilateral pneumothoraces with pneumomediastinum. Conservative management was initiated and subsequent radiographs and physical examination revealed subsequent improvement in pneumothoraces and pneumomediastinum. Conclusion: Intravenous methamphetamine use increases a wide number of inflammatory markers that can increase the risk of spontaneous pneumothoraces and pneumomediastinum. In patients with known risk factors, methamphetamine use can promote an increased incidence of spontaneous pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum. Keywords: Pneumothorax, Pneumomediastinum, Inflammatory markers, Methamphetamine use
ISSN:2213-0071