PNEUMOMEDIASTINUM AFTER RIGID BRONCHOSCOPY

The accumulation of extrapulmonary air is a well-known complication of airway endoscopic procedures. However, pulmonic disease alone can pre dispose toward pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax, without iatrogenic manipulation. In this case, a portable chest radiograph diagnosed the cause of the sudden accumulation of extrapulmonary air after rigid bro nchoscopy as alveolar rupture, rather than iatrogenic airway perforati on. The pathophysiology of pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum and the interpretation of chest radiographs in these situations is reviewed.