Subcutaneous Emphysema as a Life-Threatening Complication of Metastatic Renal Cancer: A Case Report

Subcutaneous emphysema (SE) could present as an emergency situation requiring appropriate management because of possible serious complications. While the diagnosis can be well established, its classification and treatment are not yet standardized. Herein we report the case of SE occurred in a young man after positioning of a thorax drainage because of a hydro-pneumothorax developed as a consequence of pulmonary metastases from clear cell renal carcinoma. Since there are no data correlating anatomo-clinical categorization with outcome and treatment of patients with SE, a "tailored- treatment" may be considered.