Pneumomediastinum following Crystal Use: A Report of Two Cases

Abstract

Crystal is a synthetic substance with an increasing rate of abuse. It may cause patients to present to the emergency department because of its acute complications. We depict two cases of pneumomediastinum following inhalation of crystal. Both cases had used crystal for recreational purposes. In one case, a young man presenting to the ED with the retrosternal chest pain and neck pain was diagnosed to have pneumomediastinum and pneumopericardium. The other patient presenting with dyspnea and chest pain was shown to have collection of air within mediastinum. Both patients underwent a series of diagnostic evaluations and, after a course of observation, were discharged without a surgical intervention. Patients with chest pain following inhalation of crystal may suffer from this complication.