Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 2025

Development of a Preclinical Inhalation Model to Test Vaporized Cannabis Distillates
06:09

Development of a Preclinical Inhalation Model to Test Vaporized Cannabis Distillates

Published on: May 30, 2025

53

Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum in a Patient with Marijuana Use

Nutthakorn Horugsa1, Jiyeon Kim2, Samuel Kim2

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.

European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine
|October 7, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Marijuana use can trigger severe vomiting, leading to spontaneous pneumomediastinum via the Macklin effect. This case highlights the indirect link between marijuana and this condition, emphasizing the role of severe emesis.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Case Reports
  • Pulmonology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is characterized by air in the mediastinum with an unclear etiology.
  • The Macklin effect, involving alveolar rupture and air dissection, is a key mechanism in its pathogenesis.
  • Marijuana use has been theoretically linked to spontaneous pneumomediastinum through induced severe vomiting.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a concurrent case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum and rhabdomyolysis in a young male with recent marijuana use.
  • To investigate the potential causal link between marijuana-induced vomiting and spontaneous pneumomediastinum.
  • To elucidate the role of the Macklin effect in this specific clinical presentation.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a healthy 22-year-old male presenting with relevant symptoms.
  • Clinical investigation including history, physical examination, and diagnostic workup.
  • Analysis of the patient's recent marijuana use and associated severe vomiting.

Main Results:

  • The patient presented with concurrent spontaneous pneumomediastinum and rhabdomyolysis.
  • Severe vomiting was identified as a likely trigger for the pneumomediastinum.
  • The Macklin effect was implicated as the mechanism for air dissection into the mediastinum.

Conclusions:

  • Marijuana use can precipitate severe vomiting, which may lead to spontaneous pneumomediastinum.
  • The Macklin effect provides a plausible mechanism for marijuana-associated spontaneous pneumomediastinum.
  • This case underscores the importance of considering marijuana use in patients presenting with spontaneous pneumomediastinum, particularly when accompanied by severe emesis.
Keywords:
Macklin effectSpontaneous pneumomediastinum

More Related Videos

Automated Measurement of Pulmonary Emphysema and Small Airway Remodeling in Cigarette Smoke-exposed Mice10:37

Automated Measurement of Pulmonary Emphysema and Small Airway Remodeling in Cigarette Smoke-exposed Mice

Published on: January 16, 2015

13.2K
Multi-modal Pulmonary Imaging: Using Complementary Information from CT and Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI to Evaluate Lung Structure-Function02:09

Multi-modal Pulmonary Imaging: Using Complementary Information from CT and Hyperpolarized 129Xe MRI to Evaluate Lung Structure-Function

Published on: April 12, 2024

541

Related Concept Videos

Pneumothorax-II01:27

Pneumothorax-II

Pneumothorax is a medical condition defined by the buildup of air in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall. This accumulation of air can lead to partial or complete lung collapse, resulting in a range of clinical manifestations. Understanding the clinical presentation and effective management strategies is crucial for healthcare professionals in providing timely and appropriate care to individuals with pneumothorax.
Clinical Manifestations:
124
Pneumothorax-I01:26

Pneumothorax-I

A pneumothorax is a condition where air builds up in the space between the lung and the chest wall, causing the lung to collapse. This condition arises when air enters the space between the parietal and visceral pleura, disrupting the negative pressure essential for lung inflation. This can lead to a partial or complete collapse of the lung.
Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
174
Pneumonia I: Introduction01:30

Pneumonia I: Introduction

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
213
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment01:30

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:
182
Other Pulmonary Disorders01:17

Other Pulmonary Disorders

Respiratory disorders encompass a range of conditions with varying levels of severity. Asthma, marked by chronic airway inflammation and hypersensitivity, is one such condition. It can lead to airway obstruction due to factors like bronchial spasms, mucosal edema, increased mucus secretion, or epithelial damage. Asthma triggers are diverse, ranging from allergens to emotional upset, and treatment focuses on both immediate relief through bronchodilators and long-term inflammation suppression.
806
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
1.5K