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Pneumomediastinum as a complication of critical pertussis

Francesco Monaco1, Mario Barone1, Valeria G Manfredi1

  • 1Thoracic Surgery Unit, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Department, Policlinic University Hospital, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.

The Clinical Respiratory Journal
|March 13, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Pertussis, a serious respiratory illness, is often underdiagnosed in adults. This case highlights rare complications like pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema in an adult with pertussis.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pulmonology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious respiratory infection.
  • While common in infants and children, pertussis is frequently underdiagnosed in adults due to atypical presentations.
  • Non-classic pertussis symptoms can mimic other respiratory illnesses, complicating diagnosis.

Observation:

  • A case study of an 18-year-old male with serologically confirmed pertussis.
  • The patient presented with severe, persistent coughing fits accompanied by apnea.
  • The illness led to significant complications: pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema.

Findings:

  • Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema are previously undescribed complications of pertussis in adult patients.
  • The patient required intensive care unit (ICU) admission for management of these severe symptoms.

Implications:

  • Physicians should consider pertussis in the differential diagnosis for adults presenting with persistent cough and pneumomediastinum.
  • Increased awareness of rare pertussis manifestations in adults is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.
  • This case underscores the importance of considering pertussis even in non-infant populations presenting with severe respiratory symptoms.
Abstract

Keywords:
Bordetella pertussiscoughpertussispneumomediastinum

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