Subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema following respiratory tract complications in measles

Three cases of subcutaneous emphysema and 1 of subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema following the bronchopneumonia and upper respiratory tract infection so common in measles are presented. This is a rare complication which occurred in only 0,59% of our measles patients during a period of 3 years, in spite of the fact that many of them had severe respiratory tract involvement. The pathogenesis and management of this type of emphysema in measles are discussed and the role of tracheotomy which can be helpful when airway obstruction is severe, is indicated.