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Updated: May 16, 2026

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
Published on: November 4, 2010
[Epidural emphysema complicating bronchial asthma]
N Rouetbi1, A Ben Saad, S Joobeur
1Service de pneumologie, hôpital universitaire Fattouma Bourguiba, 5000 Monastir, Tunisie. naceur.rouatbi@rns.tn
Abstract:
Epidural emphysema is an exceptional complication of bronchial asthma, revealed by an incidental finding in chest tomography. We report a case of a 21-year-old man admitted with asthma attack complicated by subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema. Chest tomography confirmed the mediastinal emphysema and also revealed the epidural emphysema within the vertebral canal. Neurological examination was negative. The patient showed complete recovery 10days after the onset of symptoms. The epidural emphysema is a rare complication during asthma attacks. The benignity of this complication should not require a systematic chest tomography.
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