Sudden Respiratory Impairment due to Simultaneous Airway Obstruction and Tension Pneumothorax in a Patient Who Underwent Tracheostomy.

An 86-year-old woman with a tracheostomy developed airway obstruction caused by viscid sputum. Forceful manual ventilation through her obstructed airway precipitated tension pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, pneumopericardium, pneumoperitoneum, and pneumoretroperitoneum. This case suggests that airway obstruction can induce secondary tension pneumothorax, further worsening respiratory function.