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Bilateral pneumothoraces and pneumomediastinum complicating a generalized tonic-clonic seizure

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2015

Helen Curran  and
John Ross
Helen Curran
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
John Ross*
Affiliation:
Emergency Department, QEII Health Sciences Centre & Capital District Health Authority, Halifax, NS, and the Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
*
Emergency Department, QEII Health Sciences Centre & Capital District Health Authority, Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Rm 3021, 1796 Summer St., Halifax NS B3H 3A7; johna.ross@cdha.nshealth.ca

Abstract

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Patients often present to the emergency department following a generalized tonic-clonic seizure, particularly of new onset. Complications associated with seizures usually arise from injuries sustained from loss of consciousness or during convulsive activity. This report describes a patient with an idiopathic seizure who developed postictal alveolar edema and delayed bilateral pneumothoraces and pneumomediastinum. A literature search revealed only 1 other case of this potentially life-threatening pulmonary complication from seizures.

Keywords

seizurepneumothoraxneurogenic pulmonary edema
Type
Case Report • Rapport de cas
Information
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine , Volume 10 , Issue 2 , March 2008 , pp. 176 - 178
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2008

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