Dyspnea...

Diagnosis: Subcutaneous emphysema

Subcutaneous emphysema can signify various underlying injuries, and should be considered a warning sign in blunt and penetrating trauma, as well as vomiting and medical procedures, particularly endoscopy and mechanical ventilation.

Signs include crepitus, swelling, or dyspnea.

Various insults can cause subcutaneous emphysema, including:

• pneumothorax
• aerodigestive neck injuries
• facial fracture

This patient's subcutaneous emphysema was related to a large pneumothorax following a lung resection for lung cancer.