Severe Mediastinal Emphysema and Tension Pneumothorax Caused by Cough-Induced Intercostal Lung Herniation

We report a case of cough-induced intercostal lung herniation with severe mediastinal emphysema and pneumothorax. A 60-year-old overweight man was admitted with dyspnea, chest pain, and chest wall bulging. Imaging confirmed left pneumothorax, fractures of the 8th to 10th ribs, and a defect in the 8th intercostal muscles. The presence of protrusion of lung parenchyma outside the intercostal space was unclear. Although the symptoms of tension pneumothorax disappeared after drainage, the subcutaneous emphysema was uncontrollable. Emergency surgery revealed lung injury near the 8th rib wedge not directly related to the rib fracture, and lung herniation was observed. We performed direct approximation of the ribs, and the lung parenchymal surface was encased by absorbable materials, avoiding infection risk. Although the lung herniation recurred 5 months later, the patient did not desire additional surgical repair. Non-absorbable materials should be considered for repair of lung herniation, excluding patients at high infection risk.

Cough Modulation by Upper Airway Stimuli in Cat—Potential Clinical Application?

The modulation of mechanically induced tracheobronchial cough was tested by applying various stimuli and the elicitation of other airway protective behaviors in pentobarbital anesthetized cats. Capsaicin and histamine were injected in the nose, and mechanical nylon fiber and/or air puff stimulation was applied to the nose and nasopharynx. Reflex responses of cough, sneeze, aspiration reflex and expiration reflex were induced mechanically. Swallow was initiated by the injection of water into oropharynx. Subthreshold mechanical stimulation of nasopharyngeal and nasal mucosa, as well as water stimulation in the oropharynx and larynx, with no motor response, had no effect on rhythmic coughing. Cough responsiveness and excitability increased with capsaicin and air puff stimuli delivered to the nose. Vice versa, the number of cough responses was reduced and cough latency increased when aspiration reflexes (>1) occurred before the cough stimulus or within inter-cough intervals (passive E2 cough phase). The occurrence of swallows increased the cough latency as well. Cough inspiratory and/or expiratory motor drive was enhanced by the occurrence of expiration reflexes, swallows, and sneezes and also by aspiration reflex within the inspiratory phase of cough and by nasal air puff stimuli. Complex central interactions, ordering and sequencing of motor acts from the airways may result in the disruption of cough rhythmic sequence but also in the enhancement of cough. Our data confirm that number of peripheral stimuli and respiratory motor responses significantly alters cough performance. We propose developing and testing stimulation paradigms that modify coughing and could be employed in correcting of inappropriate or excessive coughing.

An effective and easy to insist on self-made pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation for the elderly women with stress urinary incontinence

Stress urinary incontinence(SUI)refers to involuntary urine overflow in patients with sudden increases in abdominal pressure such as exercise,sneezing or coughing[1],Pepsi floor muscle training(PFMT),also known as Kegel exercise,enhances the strength,control and coordination of the pelvic floor muscles and detrusor pressure,allowing patients to learn to pre-control the pelvic floor before increasing abdominal pressure[2].

Facial and Periorbital Emphysemas Following a Violent Sneezing: An Atypical Clinical Situation

Introduction: Facial emphysema is the presence of air in the subcutaneous tissues of the facial region. They can be clinically recognized by the crackling sensation felt when the affected area is palpated. Observation: The authors describe left orbito-facial emphysema that occurred after a violent sneezing episode in a 36-year-old patient. He had significant edema of the left facial and ipsilateral periorbital region associated with major emphysema and complete closure of the left eye. Nasal cavities endoscopy revealed inflammation of the distal orifice of the nasolacrimal duct. The clinical ophthalmologic examination performed in emergency showed left chemosis, slight ocular hypertonia of mechanical origin, and a slight decrease in visual acuity. Pupillary reflexes and retinography were normal. A craniofacial computed tomography (CT) revealed a significant left orbital emphysema, a fracture of the left medial orbital wall (ethmoidal lamina papyracea) with intraconal fat incarceration without entrapment of the medial rectus and significant air infiltration of all the left hemifacial soft tissues. A broad-spectrum antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatment were instituted, as well as practical advice to prevent a recurrence. We observed progressive resorption of the edema with a return to the normal of the soft tissues and the palpebral cleft in 15 days. Conclusion: These atypical cases can be serious. It is essential to exclude signs of visual deficit and ocular compression. Multidisciplinary management is important.