Traumatic Scrotal Emphysema: A Rare Case

Subcutaneous scrotal emphysema, also known as pneumoscrotum, is the increase in volume caused by air accumulated in the scrotal sac. This process has been explained by different theories. The large majority of reported cases are related to thoracic pathologies. A 19 year old male met with a fatal vehicular accident in early hours of morning and died before admission. On external examination there was generalized swelling all over the body prominently on eyes, face, chest, scrotum. On palpation crepitus was felt & air bubbles were seen on incising the skin mixed with blood. Enlarged scrotum mimic like hydrocele but after careful examination it was found that was due to pneumoscrotum. After careful examination and dissection final cause of death was given as ‘death due to multiple injuries, with accidental emphysema of chest, abdomen and scrotum’. This case illustrates the degree to which air may spread throughout the soft tissues after initial pneumothorax.