Simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax in a cannabis user

Abstract

Cannabis – the most commonly used illegal drug – also has some medical applications. Cannabis is being legalised more and more in the Western world, however it is not a safe substance as many people think. It can cause detrimental acute and chronic lung injuries such as bullous lung disease, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, pulmonary emphysema. A clear mechanism for acute pulmonary pathologies has not been established, but pneumothorax and/or pneumomediastinum can be considered as a typical presentation in cannabis users. We present a cannabis user case with simultaneous pneumomediastinum and bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax.

Keywords

• Cannabis
• Marijuana
• Spontaneous bilateral pneumothorax
• Pneumomediastinum