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Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum in Marijuana Users
Zeeshan Ahmad1, Aveek Mukherjee2,3, Alberto Garcia4
1Internal Medicine, Saint Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick, USA.
Cureus
|October 13, 2023
Summary
Chronic marijuana use can lead to spontaneous pneumomediastinum, a condition causing chest pain. This occurs due to inhalation and breath-holding techniques common in cannabis consumption, affecting young adults.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Emergency Medicine
- Toxicology
Background:
- Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a rare condition characterized by the presence of air in the mediastinum.
- Marijuana use has been anecdotally linked to pneumomediastinum, potentially due to altered respiratory mechanics during consumption.
Observation:
- Two cases of spontaneous pneumomediastinum are presented in young adults following chronic marijuana use.
- The first case involved a 24-year-old woman with anxiety presenting with chest pain and shortness of breath.
- The second case involved a 21-year-old man with no prior medical history experiencing acute chest pain post-marijuana smoking.
Findings:
- Both patients were diagnosed with pneumomediastinum via imaging studies.
- Treatment involved supportive care, including oxygen therapy and analgesics.
- The clinical presentations, though different, both resolved with conservative management.
Implications:
- Highlights the association between chronic marijuana use and spontaneous pneumomediastinum.
- Emphasizes the need for clinicians to consider marijuana use in patients presenting with atypical chest pain.
- Suggests that altered respiratory patterns during cannabis consumption may contribute to this condition.
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