Homeopathic Treatment of Subcutaneous Emphysema of the Neck
Mr. M. J., 18 years old and a known case of Asthmatic Bronchitis was under my care since 4-1-1989 for
recurrent cough and wheezing since 4 years. He came on 17-2-89 with a H/o breathlessness since 2
days that had been gradually increasing till that evening, when he had a sudden pain in the chest (Rt.
Side) followed by an increase in breathlessness.
The presenting complaints were:
- Chest pain (sternal region and right side)
- Worse coughing, inspiration, lying on back
- Better pressure, supporting the chest, lying on the abdomen
- Pain right side of the face, neck and right ear, < slightest movement, swallowing
- Severe weakness- he actually collapsed in my clinic and had to be carried to the examination couch. (He
was actually appearing for his higher secondary examinations and had not eaten for the past 3 days,
partly due to his anxiety and partly due to the breathlessness.)
Examination findings:
Afebrile
Pulse: 100/ min., regular and good volume
Resp. rate: 28/ min.
B.P.: 110/70 mm Hg.
No cyanosis or edema
JVP: NR
Dehydration 10
Resp. System: AP diameter > Transverse diameter
Trachea central
Crepitus on palpation of the neck and upper chest
Rhonchi ++
Alimentary System: Bowel sounds – N
Diagnosis- Subcutaneous (surgical) emphysema of the neck and chest due to a ? ruptured
emphysematous bulla of the lung
Treatment and Follow Up:
17-2-1989 (8.00 p.m.) The patient was given Bryonia 200, 1 dose, and sent for an urgent X-ray of the
chest (PA view) which confirmed the clinical diagnosis. He was immediately admitted to Mumbadevi
Homeopathic Hospital. Since he was unable to swallow and in view of his dehydration, he was put on
Intra-Venous (IV) Fluids for the first 24 hours. The ENT surgeon was informed about this patient and
was asked to be available for an urgent tracheostomy, in case his condition worsened. Bryonia 200 was
continued 2 hourly.
18-2-1989 Pain +; breathlessness slightly better: Treatment: Bryonia 1000, 2 hourly.
19-2-1989 The patient was on Bryonia 1000 and was soon able to swallow.
20-2-1989 Neck movements speedily improved.
23-2-1989 The patient was almost normal.
24-2 1989 Discharged.
(See the X-ray plates of 17-2-89, 20-2-89 and 24-2-89)
He was given 2 doses of Pyrogen 1000 on 20-2-1989 for fever with chilliness that was attributed to
thrombophlebitis of the forearm veins (IV Fluids). Hamamelis ointment was prescribed for local
application over the inflamed vein, which resolved the inflammation in just 6 hours.
Discussion: This was a case of bronchial asthma with emphysematous changes in the lungs. An
emphysematous bulla probably ruptured leading to the presenting complaints. The remedy Bryonia was
obvious since the modalities and the location (including the side) were similar. It is important to note that
in this acute and potentially life threatening case, homeopathy was able to help the patient swiftly (just 1
week) and without surgical intervention. A patient managed with the conventional (allopathic) line of
treatment would have required at least 2-3 weeks for recovery.
This case was first published in the Indian Journal of Homoeopathic Medicine, Vol. 26, No. 1. January-
March 1991 issue.
Mr. M. J., 18 years old and a known case of Asthmatic Bronchitis was under my care since 4-1-1989 for
recurrent cough and wheezing since 4 years. He came on 17-2-89 with a H/o breathlessness since 2
days that had been gradually increasing till that evening, when he had a sudden pain in the chest (Rt.
Side) followed by an increase in breathlessness.
The presenting complaints were:
- Chest pain (sternal region and right side)
- Worse coughing, inspiration, lying on back
- Better pressure, supporting the chest, lying on the abdomen
- Pain right side of the face, neck and right ear, < slightest movement, swallowing
- Severe weakness- he actually collapsed in my clinic and had to be carried to the examination couch. (He
was actually appearing for his higher secondary examinations and had not eaten for the past 3 days,
partly due to his anxiety and partly due to the breathlessness.)
Examination findings:
Afebrile
Pulse: 100/ min., regular and good volume
Resp. rate: 28/ min.
B.P.: 110/70 mm Hg.
No cyanosis or edema
JVP: NR
Dehydration 10
Resp. System: AP diameter > Transverse diameter
Trachea central
Crepitus on palpation of the neck and upper chest
Rhonchi ++
Alimentary System: Bowel sounds – N
Diagnosis- Subcutaneous (surgical) emphysema of the neck and chest due to a ? ruptured
emphysematous bulla of the lung
Treatment and Follow Up:
17-2-1989 (8.00 p.m.) The patient was given Bryonia 200, 1 dose, and sent for an urgent X-ray of the
chest (PA view) which confirmed the clinical diagnosis. He was immediately admitted to Mumbadevi
Homeopathic Hospital. Since he was unable to swallow and in view of his dehydration, he was put on
Intra-Venous (IV) Fluids for the first 24 hours. The ENT surgeon was informed about this patient and
was asked to be available for an urgent tracheostomy, in case his condition worsened. Bryonia 200 was
continued 2 hourly.
18-2-1989 Pain +; breathlessness slightly better: Treatment: Bryonia 1000, 2 hourly.
19-2-1989 The patient was on Bryonia 1000 and was soon able to swallow.
20-2-1989 Neck movements speedily improved.
23-2-1989 The patient was almost normal.
24-2 1989 Discharged.
(See the X-ray plates of 17-2-89, 20-2-89 and 24-2-89)
He was given 2 doses of Pyrogen 1000 on 20-2-1989 for fever with chilliness that was attributed to
thrombophlebitis of the forearm veins (IV Fluids). Hamamelis ointment was prescribed for local
application over the inflamed vein, which resolved the inflammation in just 6 hours.
Discussion: This was a case of bronchial asthma with emphysematous changes in the lungs. An
emphysematous bulla probably ruptured leading to the presenting complaints. The remedy Bryonia was
obvious since the modalities and the location (including the side) were similar. It is important to note that
in this acute and potentially life threatening case, homeopathy was able to help the patient swiftly (just 1
week) and without surgical intervention. A patient managed with the conventional (allopathic) line of
treatment would have required at least 2-3 weeks for recovery.
This case was first published in the Indian Journal of Homoeopathic Medicine, Vol. 26, No. 1. January-
March 1991 issue.
Homeopathic Healing
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