Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39891228›Full record

ArticleTropical medicine and health2025

Early discharge and international air transport of a traveler with exacerbating comorbidities and pneumomediastinum: a case report.

Miho Akimoto, Soichiro Saeki, Yuki Kiyomoto, Hirosane Takeshima, Naofumi Higuchi, Takako Mori, Yasuyo Osanai, Chihaya Hinohara, Takeshi Inagaki

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Tropical medicine and health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Miho AkimotoDepartment of General Internal Medicine, Center Hospital of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.
Soichiro SaekiInternational Health Care Center, Center Hospital of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan. sosaeki@hosp.ncgm.go.jp.
Yuki KiyomotoDepartment of General Internal Medicine, Center Hospital of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.
Hirosane TakeshimaDepartment of General Internal Medicine, Center Hospital of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.
Naofumi HiguchiDepartment of General Internal Medicine, Center Hospital of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.
Takako MoriInternational Health Care Center, Center Hospital of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan.
Yasuyo OsanaiDepartment of Nursing, Center Hospital of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.
Chihaya HinoharaInternational Health Care Center, Center Hospital of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan.
Takeshi InagakiDepartment of General Internal Medicine, Center Hospital of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAir transport for medically complex patients presents unique challenges, particularly without specific guidelines for conditions such as pneumomediastinum or medical devices like peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC lines). Although organizations such as the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) provide general recommendations for medical air travel, these guidelines often lack the precision required to address such complex clinical scenarios. Consequently, healthcare teams frequently face difficult decisions under constraints of time and resources, navigating the interplay of patient safety, autonomy, and logistical considerations. CASE PRESENTATION: This case involves a 30-year-old American woman with type 2 diabetes, obesity, and a recent history of pancreaticoduodenectomy, who was hospitalized in Japan with cellulitis and incidentally diagnosed with pneumomediastinum. She was treated with intravenous antibiotics and central venous nutrition administered via a PICC line. However, she requested an early discharge to return to the United States for family and financial reasons. Her travel insurer declined coverage, citing potential risks associated with pneumomediastinum. Ultimately, the patient discharged herself against medical advice; the PICC line was removed, and she transitioned to oral antibiotics for her journey home.

conclusionThis case highlights the complexities of patient preferences, medical risks, and insurance limitations when evaluating air travel safety. The absence of specific guidelines for conditions such as pneumomediastinum and the use of medical devices highlights the need for condition-specific protocols. Effective communication and customized documentation, including modifications to the "Against Medical Advice" form proved essential in addressing both patient autonomy and the responsibilities of healthcare providers.

Indexed as

BacteremiaInternational transferMediastinal emphysemaMedical clearance for air travelPICC line

Identifiers

PMID39891228
PMCPMC11786556

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.