What Is Subcutaneous Emphysema?
3. Injuries
Another of the main causes of subcutaneous emphysema is injury, particularly injury in the upper chest region. This often means a collapsed lung, and subcutaneous emphysema is more likely to occur if the patient also picked up a fractured rib.
Other injuries that can lead to subcutaneous emphysema include a ruptured esophagus and/or a ruptured bronchial tube. Both of these conditions can result in air seeping into the bodily tissues rather than being inhaled and exhaled from the lungs. Certain fractures of the facial bones can also lead to subcutaneous emphysema if they cause otherwise sealed airways to become compromised.
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