Pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, and epidural pneumatosis in DKA.

Pneumomediastinum (PM) is an uncommon condition characterized by the presence of air in the mediastinum. It is associated with alveolar rupture that allows air to traverse along the bronchovascular bundle into the mediastinum. A review of the world medical literature identified 50 additional cases of PM and pneumopericardium (PC) associated with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). We report the occurrence of PM, PC, as well as epidural pneumatosis occurring simultaneously in a patient with DKA. Epidural pneumatosis in association with this metabolic derangement has not been previously described.