Subcutaneous emphysema (Crepitus, Subcutaneous air, Tissue emphysema)

AllRefer Channels :: Yellow Pages | Reference | Health

	Diet & Nutrition
	Diseases & Conditions
	Injuries & Wounds
	Poisons & Overdoses
	Surgery & Procedures
	Symptoms Guide
	Special Topics
	Tests & Exams
	Pictures & Images
	Medical Encyclopedia

You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Medical Symptoms > Subcutaneous emphysema

Subcutaneous emphysema

Alternate Names : Crepitus, Subcutaneous air, Tissue emphysema

Definition

Subcutaneous emphysema occurs when air gets into tissues under the skin covering the chest wall or neck.

Overview & Considerations

Subcutaneous emphysema can often be seen as a smooth bulging of the skin. When a health care provider feels (palpates) the skin, it produces an unusual crackling sensation as the gas is pushed through the tissue.

Common Causes

This is a rare condition. When it does occur, possible causes include:

Collapsed lung (pneumothorax), often occurring with a rib fracture
Facial bone fracture
Ruptured bronchial tube
Ruptured esophagus

This condition can happen due to:

Blunt trauma
Gun shot wounds
Stabbing

Air can also be found in between skin layers on the arms and legs or torso during certain infections, including gas gangrene.

Pictures & Images

Skin layers

See all Pictures & Images

Quick Jump
1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Next
Treatment

Jump To Another Page

Subcutaneous emphysema : Definition
Subcutaneous emphysema : Overview & Considerations
Subcutaneous emphysema : Common Causes
Subcutaneous emphysema : Call your Health Care Provider if
Subcutaneous emphysema : Pictures & Images
Skin layers

Review Date : 10/13/2008
Reviewed By : John E. Duldner, Jr., MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Director of Research, Department of Emergency Medicine, Akron General Medical Center and Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Main Page of Subcutaneous emphysema

Featured Topics
•	Allergies
•	Breast Cancer
•	Depression
•	Diabetes
•	High Blood Pressure
•	Weight Management

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial reviewers. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

This site complies to the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
Copyright © 2011 AllRefer.com All Rights reserved.
Health Topics: 0-9 A-AID Air-Aor Aor-Azo B-Blo Blo-Bys C-Cha Cha-Col Col-CSF CSF-Cyt D-Dis Dis-Dys E-Ess Est-Eye F-FSP FTA-Fus G H-Her Her-Hys I-Iod Ion-Ivy J K L-Luc Lud-Lym M-Min Min-Myx N O P-Pes Pes-Pre Pre-Pyr Q R-Rig Rig-RVA s-SID SID-Spu Spu-Sys T-Too Too-Typ U V W X Y Z
About Us | Help | Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy | Advertising Policy | Accessibility | Terms of Use
Contact Us | Link to Us | User Satisfaction Survey | Healthopedia.com
Page Last Updated: 26 May, 2012